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

Her mom was a speech therapist in the Washington, D.C., public school system, who is now 80.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

Janaline Smalman, an expat therapist and founder of Healing Art Journey, said it’s common for people who move abroad to struggle with unexpected, challenging emotions for a variety of reasons.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

In Atlanta, Georgia, music therapist Melissa Pate was far more somber about the holiday.

From Barron's ● Jul. 4, 2026

Eri Petherbridge, a psychology student in Boone, N.C., was going to therapy three times a week when her therapist suggested she start using an artificial-intelligence chatbot for support between sessions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

Akira tried to sit with her anxiety, letting it wash over her like a wave, the way her therapist had been teaching her.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Doctors, physical therapists and Bolsonaro's attorneys are exempt and can still visit him.

From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026

“The positive part of AI is that it’s pushing a lot of people to call our helpline directly”—one staffed by licensed human therapists.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

In addition to therapists, she said there are plenty of resources online and international centers to help people assimilate.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

Eating-disorder therapists are getting fed up when patients turn to chatbots for advice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

She’d scheduled two appointments for the next day and took down more names of therapists that he recommended.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

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