therapist
Americannoun
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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.
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a person trained in the use of psychological methods for helping patients overcome psychological problems.
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Also therapeutist a person, as a doctor, skilled in therapeutics.
noun
Etymology
Origin of therapist
Compare meaning
How does therapist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
Vocabulary lists containing therapist
"Fears and Phobias," Vocabulary from the article
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Out of My Mind
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Guts
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The school drew parents like therapist Kavita Ramani and her computer-engineer husband, who delighted at the sight of their bright first-grader strutting with joy after a day at Tessellations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
She’s forward and caustic, with a sharp wit and a hefty Jersey accent that doesn’t exactly scream “therapist’s office” — unless your therapist is Dr. Melfi from “The Sopranos,” in which case, lucky you.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026
Entrepreneur Jorge Nuño and therapist Martha Sanchez trailed with about $25,000 and $13,000, respectively.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
But from the very first session with the voice therapist, she had a suspicion that something else was wrong.
From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026
As the therapist in the family, Carla likes to be the one who understands.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
