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

More importantly, by using these AI solutions, therapists can maintain eye contact with their patients, observe their body language and remain fully present, all of which can help strengthen patient trust. — Sameer Bhat, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

In the ad, Yang unloads on his therapist, played by comedienne Ana Gasteyer, about his guilt over gatekeeping a really fantastic beauty product from the group chat. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

To your therapist’s point, there is something that’s keeping him from engaging with you – and perhaps with the world – in a way that’s productive or kind. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

This doesn’t mean that managers have to become therapists, and employees don’t have to disclose everything happening in their lives. — Jeff Leblanc, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 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