therapist

noun

ther·​a·​pist ˈther-ə-pist 

1

: an individual specializing in the therapeutic medical treatment of impairment, injury, disease, or disorder

especially : a health care professional trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery

These simple range-of-motion exercises are often prescribed by physical, occupational, or hand therapists for people with hand OA [=osteoarthritis].

—Food & Fitness Advisor

To help the baby interact with his family, a speech therapist taught everyone—including Justin's twin brother, Jeffery—hand signals and games.

—Michele Blecher

2

: a practitioner of psychotherapy : a psychotherapist

Again, it is important for the therapist to recognize that regression is normative due to the extreme stress of separation and divorce.

—Nathan W. Turner

Examples of therapist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rachel Glik is a licensed professional counselor with over 30 years as a couples and individual therapist. —Rachel Glik, Contributor, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025

Bence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2025

The court has now decided to hear the case of Kaley Chiles, a young counselor in Colorado, who is challenging a state law that prohibits therapists from counseling gay minors away from homosexuality. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025

These dramatic and sometimes terrifying displays of anger in young children often come from a lack of language, explains Meri Wallace, LCSW, parenting expert, child and family therapist, and author of Birth Order Blues. —Miriam Foley, Parents, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing therapist

• behavioral therapist
• massage therapist
• physical therapist

Rhymes for therapist

• physiotherapist
• psychotherapist

Kids Definition

therapist

noun

ther·​a·​pist ˈther-ə-pəst 

: a person who specializes in therapy

especially : a person trained in methods of treatment other than the use of drugs or surgery

a speech therapist

Medical Definition

therapist

noun

ther·​a·​pist ˈther-ə-pəst 

: a person specializing in therapy

especially : one trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery