APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. a sense of safety, confidence, and freedom from apprehension. In psychology, security is believed to be engendered by such factors as warm, accepting parents and friends; development of age-appropriate skills and abilities; and experiences that build a stable sense of self. The development of security in the psychotherapeutic context (most often referred to as trust) is seen as a mediating goal that encourages open exploration of emotional and behavioral issues and is considered to be part of a strong and healthy therapist–patient relationship.