therapist

American  

[ther-uh-pist] / ˈθɛr ə pɪst /

noun

• therapists
  plural

1. a person trained in the use of physical methods, as exercises, heat treatments, etc., in treating or rehabilitating the sick or wounded or helping patients overcome physical defects.

2. a person trained in the use of psychological methods for helping patients overcome psychological problems.

3. Also therapeutist a person, as a doctor, skilled in therapeutics.

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therapist British  

/ ˈθɛrəpɪst /

noun

1. a person skilled in a particular type of therapy

   a physical therapist

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• therapists
  plural

Etymology

Origin of therapist

First recorded in 1885–90; therap(y) + -ist

Compare meaning

How does therapist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• psychologist vs. therapist

Explanation

An expert at a specific kind of healing practice is called a therapist. A massage therapist is trained to soothe sore muscles, for example. The first thing many people think of when they see the word therapist is a psychotherapist, a mental health practitioner whose job is to diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions. This kind of therapist might listen to a patient's thoughts, fears, problems, and dreams and offer helpful techniques or even medication. Other types of therapists include physical therapists and occupational therapists, both of whom help clients with mobility and quality of life issues presented by their physical disabilities or challenges.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

therapist therapists

She did a degree in psychology and is training to be a licensed therapist.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

He threw out $20 a month as a possibility, and said his hope is for an annual cost lower than what a single session with a real therapist might cost.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

That led him to attend massage school — not to start a career as a massage therapist, he said, but to learn how to give back to others.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

She brought her findings to Maisa’s doctor and therapist in Boise.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

A physical therapist showed her exercises and stretches to help him.

From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell

Refering to its current beauty therapy provision, it said it was "delivered by practising beauty therapists and includes training on ethical practice, personal safety and clear professional boundaries when working with clients of all genders".

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

Ruby saw therapists for sleep and behavioral issues starting at age 9.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

Psychology has a term for when therapists unintentionally project their own emotions, history or unresolved issues onto a client: countertransference.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

Misuse of therapy speak, or the casual use of clinical psychology terms, is a pervasive problem, and one that therapists note actually shuts down communication, as opposed to improving it.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

“You’re missing school to meet with therapists today, huh?”

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

• adviser
• analyst
• clinician
• doctor
• physician
• psychiatrist
• psychoanalyst
• psychologist
• psychotherapist