therapist

[ ther-uh-pist ]

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 ther·a·peu·tist [] a person, as a doctor, skilled in therapeutics. therapeutics.

ˈtherapist

/ ˈθɛrəpɪst /

noun

1. a person skilled in a particular type of therapy

   a physical therapist

Word History and Origins

Origin of therapist¹

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

Example Sentences

"At college, I can't go to see the therapist we have on campus to have a chat, I can't go into the library and use all these online resources, I'm not doing all these modules on subjects in the detail we are getting at uni," he says.

From BBC

Noah Kass, a therapist based in New York City, told me that the current dating crisis wasn’t created by big tech companies per se, but he thinks that “they are exploiting people’s insecurities and self-esteem, feeding into an addictive, gamified culture within a capitalist, winner-takes-all society.”

From Slate

Unlike men, who have agency and could have called a therapist instead of following Elon Musk on Twitter, lonely and needy cats are innocent and deserving of your love.

From Salon

Dre previously was served a temporary restraining order after his former divorce therapist, Dr. Charles Sophy, filed a $10-million lawsuit alleging his ex-client subjected him to a “systematic and malicious campaign of harassment.”

From Los Angeles Times

Dr. Dre’s former divorce therapist — who mediated the music producer’s split with ex-wife Nicole Young — is suing for civil harassment and seeking $10 million.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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