therapist

American  

[ther-uh-pist] / ˈθɛr ə pɪst /

noun

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. therapeutics.

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ˈtherapist British  

/ ˈθɛrəpɪst /

noun

1. a person skilled in a particular type of therapy

   a physical therapist

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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

Example Sentences

Many therapists arrived at this posture for understandable reasons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Heck, hire a nutritionist…and then a therapist who can console you through the night terrors you still have about that time you almost shelled out $25,000 for a gym membership.

From MarketWatch

When her kids went off to college, she finished her training as a therapist and went into practice.

From The Wall Street Journal

One father, David from London, whose wife was retraining to be an occupational therapist, told the BBC last year that he was devastated after realising they didn't qualify because she wasn't earning at the time.

From BBC

But my therapist gradually encouraged me to face the fear.

From BBC

Related Words

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