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

In 2011, Hale’s mother again took her to a therapist. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025

Young people and their families will meet with their therapists two to four times a week, and therapists will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025

Cheryl Hamada rounds out the cast as Marilyn, Ren’s agent and longtime friend who serves as the screenwriter’s sounding board, unofficial therapist and deliverer of tough truths — not to mention some witty one-liners. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

The Matrix: Resurrections is set 20 years after the events of Revolutions, and finds Neo (Reeves) living a seemingly ordinary life as Thomas A. Anderson in San Francisco, where his therapist prescribes him blue pills. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 3 Apr. 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