therapist
noun
ther·a·pist
ˈther-ə-pist
1
: an individual specializing in the therapeutic medical treatment of impairment, injury, disease, or disorder
especially
: a health care professional trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery
These simple range-of-motion exercises are often prescribed by physical, occupational, or hand therapists for people with hand OA [=osteoarthritis]. —Food & Fitness Advisor
To help the baby interact with his family, a speech therapist taught everyone—including Justin's twin brother, Jeffery—hand signals and games. —Michele Blecher
2
: a practitioner of psychotherapy : a psychotherapist
Again, it is important for the therapist to recognize that regression is normative due to the extreme stress of separation and divorce.—Nathan W. Turner
Cite this Entry
“Therapist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therapist. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
