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

The strongest outcomes emerge when that expertise is fully integrated with intensivists, advanced practitioners, respiratory therapists, and surgeons working as one coordinated team. — Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Here’s how to tell when trauma dumping might be reaching unhealthy levels in a friendship or relationship, according to therapists—and how to repair. — Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026

Board of Managers members Tennessee Walker and Laurie George both apologized to the nearly dozen speech therapists in attendance at the meeting. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026

Williams took a turn for the dramatic, playing Matt Damon’s therapist in 1997’s Good Will Hunting, and Hollywood noticed, rewarding him with an Oscar. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026

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