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

My therapist was the only one from my HMO provider list who had openings. — Lori Resnick, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Across the country, therapists report pressure from reimbursement rates that often fail to keep pace with rising costs and administrative demands. — Wayne Lonstein, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Randau’s initial curiosity in Kersten was piqued by a meeting some five years ago with French producers over a potential collaboration on a TV series devoted to the exploits of the massage-therapist. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Appellof, an occupational therapist at a nursing home by day and her husband, Kyle, a personal trainer with the aging population, opened Parched Perfect Mobile Bar two years ago. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 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