therapist

noun

ther·​a·​pist ˈther-ə-pist How to pronounce therapist (audio)
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 As a grief therapist, many people come to me in the depths of loss. Gina Moffa, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 At the end of the treatment, the therapist explains that this is akin to a hair reset; however, as with all wellness modalities, turning it into a practice is where transformation can truly occur. Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Frau Hermann was looking at Jenny thoughtfully, the way a therapist might. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Grace Smith, 31, of Royal Oak, works as a life enrichment therapist at PACE and organized the ceremony after Sensoli approached her a few months back. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for therapist 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'therapist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of therapist was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near therapist

Cite this Entry

“Therapist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therapist. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

therapist

noun
ther·​a·​pist ˈther-ə-pəst How to pronounce therapist (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce therapist (audio)
: a person specializing in therapy
especially : one trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery

More from Merriam-Webster on therapist

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