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

That is the quiet stakes of home design right now, and therapists and researchers say small changes can shift how your body responds to your own space. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026

The character of Shondra Kinsolving from the comics is reimagined as a therapist, one who tries to get Bruce Wayne to open up about his need for help and refusal to ask for it. —Rafael Motamayor, Variety, 24 June 2026

Those positions included diagnostic evaluation specialists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, ARD managers, special program directors, elementary literacy directors, special education analysts and emergent bilingual teachers. —Samuel O’Neal June 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026

Family therapist Murray Bowen viewed families and other systems as emotional units that naturally resist changes that threaten existing patterns, even when those patterns are unhealthy. —Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 23 June 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