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

This policy wasn’t always followed, according to one of the inspection reports, which said an occupational therapist was observed feeding a resident in the COVID-19 unit while wearing only a surgical mask and gloves. —Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Public health advocates are also pushing to expand the scope of practice for dental therapists, mid-level providers who can perform fillings and extractions under supervision. —Sixteen Ramos, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025

Bence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025

Additionally, working with a pelvic floor therapist is a great way to create a longer term plan to strengthen the pelvic floor to minimize future issues. —Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 4 Nov. 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