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

Megan Crowe, who works as a therapist at the charity, lost a baby when she was about 12 weeks pregnant in 2020.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

This is one of the rare times when one-sided phone calls aren’t a bad thing, says Nedra Glover Tawwab, a therapist and author of “Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

Stylists are the consigliere, the therapist and the trusted right hand of any Oscar nominee.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

“It’s an oversensitive dopamine response that leads to varied feelings, ” says therapist and author Marissa Zwetow.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2026

“Don’t know. We don’t get to know why a lot in life. My therapist told me that.”

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Related Words

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