This study presents a new method for analyzing psychotherapists' discourse. Based on a formal understanding of linguistic processes, linguistic-pragmatic analysis differs from traditional analytical methods that focus on content. The linguistic-pragmatic analysis of mental states in psychotherapists’ discourse is an example of the application of this analytical method. It allows for the identification and quantification of linguistic cues referring to the verbal expression of mental states. This method was applied to 32 interview transcripts (16 therapeutic interviews and 16 research interviews). The results showed that psychotherapists use more linguistic indicators of mental states than researchers and that they refer to all types of mental states. Person-Centered psychotherapists make greater use of linguistic cues related to impressions and sensations, while psychoanalytically oriented therapists rely more on those related to emotions. These results suggest that further investigation of therapeutic discourse using linguistic-pragmatic analysis is warranted.[author’s abstract]