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

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Etymology

Origin of therapist

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

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Compare meaning

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

• psychologist vs. therapist

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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

For Colón Angueira, every walk-and-talk involves three parties: the therapist, the client and Mother Nature.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

Before the movie’s release, Chin met with Nelson’s sons and a therapist skilled at helping victims re-experiencing trauma through film or other media.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Hamon has been going to therapist Sally Agathangelou as part of her work to improve her wellbeing.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

Explore your options with the help of a financial adviser, a couples therapist, or both.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2026

Wes watches the happy look on my face and says, “Exactly! That feeling you got—when I’m a therapist, I want to use music to give that same feeling to my clients.”

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

It certainly keeps advisers, lawyers, doctors, therapists, courts and prisons in business.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

The two sides dispute exactly what followed, but some counselors present said the Jewish therapists suggested some podcasts and other materials to Knott to give her better perspective.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

They wanted advice on how to protect themselves against potential legal action and discrimination allegations if they let the therapists go.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Staff were not trained therapists, she said, so it was hard to know how to navigate these discussions with students.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

I told Doris about it, in one of our sessions, and she was overjoyed in that dorky way of therapists.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

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Related Words

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• psychotherapist

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