therapist

noun ther·a·pist \ ˈther-ə-pist \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of therapist

: one specializing in therapy; especially : a person trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery

a speech therapist

See therapist defined for English-language learners

See therapist defined for kids

Examples of therapist in a Sentence

He works with a therapist to improve his speech.

Recent Examples of therapist from the Web

If not, contact the psychological association in your state about a referral to a therapist who specializes in patients with adult attention deficit disorder.

— Houston Chronicle, "Hard-working college student strives to be more organized," 13 July 2018
Dad is a therapist while Mom is a lawyer who chose to stay at home to devote time to their 4-year-old son, Jake.

— randy cordova, azcentral, "In 'A Kid Like Jake,' Claire Danes and Jim Parsons struggle with son's gender identity," 14 June 2018
Community leaders and parents eager to prevent stress caused by time away from friends are organizing programs so students can socialize, play sports, create art, or talk to therapists.

— kelli kennedy and terry spencer, The Christian Science Monitor, "Community plans summer activities for school shooting survivors," 31 May 2018
One of the women involved is an expressive arts therapist, the other has a background in business and Uptgraft is a theater major.

— tegan hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "With her husband deployed in Afghanistan, this woman is opening a play in Anchorage to give voice to military spouses," 11 May 2018
The safety record is due to a supervised program emphasizing good form, says study co-author Belinda Beck, a professor at Griffith and co-owner of the Bone Clinic, which is licensing its program to physical therapists.

— laura johannes, WSJ, "The Common Advice for Those With Thinning Bones Could Be All Wrong," 22 Apr. 2018
The victim, a massage therapist at the Ginza Spa, 1081 Main St., told police through a translator that a man had agreed to a half-hour massage.

— jesse leavenworth, courant.com, "Police: Man Tried To Rob Manchester Massage Parlor Worker," 16 Mar. 2018
The surfing program at the Naval Medical Center San Diego began in 2008 when therapists were helping an Army staff sergeant from Hawaii whose right leg and right hand were blown off in Iraq.

— tony perry, Washington Post, "Riding the waves to better health: Navy studies the therapeutic value of surfing.," 10 Mar. 2018
The most cathartic moment for me was when a therapist told me that my mother had never looked into my eyes and actually seen me.

— stephanie booth, Health.com, "“Her Highest Praises Were Mocking Insults”—What It’s Like Growing Up With a Narcissist for a Parent," 7 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'therapist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of therapist

1886

in the meaning defined above

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THERAPIST Defined for English Language Learners

therapist

noun

Definition of therapist for English Language Learners

: a person trained in methods of treating illnesses especially without the use of drugs or surgery
: a person who helps people deal with mental or emotional problems by talking about those problems : a person trained in psychotherapy

THERAPIST Defined for Kids

therapist

noun ther·a·pist \ ˈther-ə-pəst \

Definition of therapist for Students

: a person specializing in treating disorders or injuries of the body or mind especially in ways that do not involve drugs and surgery a speech therapist

Medical Dictionary

therapist

noun ther·a·pist \ ˈther-ə-pəst \

medical Definition of therapist

: a person specializing in therapy; especially : one trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery

Learn More about therapist

Spanish Central: Translation of therapist Nglish: Translation of therapist for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of therapist for Arabic speakers

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therapist

Definition of therapist

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THERAPIST Defined for English Language Learners

therapist

Definition of therapist for English Language Learners

THERAPIST Defined for Kids

therapist

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therapist

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