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

Throughout her adolescence, Eleanor had seen therapists and received medication. —CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

If three of your friends are about to be therapists, that seems kind of unremarkable. —Annah Feinberg, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026

The jobs listed in the EDD layoff notices include behavioral specialists, child care workers, food service managers, instructional aides, medical assistants, program directors, recreation workers, a refugee resettlement worker and therapists. —Pat Maio, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026

Like billing insurance companies or updating electronic health records — time consuming tasks that bog therapists down. —Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 7 Apr. 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