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

Rose Byrne stars as Linda, a Montauk mom and therapist who’s trying to hold everything together while her husband, a cruise-ship captain, is away at sea. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 Oct. 2025

Through employee assistance programs (EAPs), major insurer partnerships and Medicaid, Talkspace can match users with a licensed therapist within three hours, with texting available within 24 hours. —Krysta Escobar,eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025

Rose, did Mary’s background as a therapist enhance the filmmaking in that scene, or others? —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025

For their last session, Mamdani and the therapist rode the subway together. —Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 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