ENGLISH
REFERENCE

therapist

n.
US //ˈθɛɹəpəst// UK //θˈɛɹəpˌɪst// ther·a·pist
  1. 1 mental health professional (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person trained to help you with your emotions, mental health, or personal problems by talking.

    a practitioner, such as a psychotherapist or counsellor, who treats mental or emotional disorders through dialogue and psychological techniques.

    Example

    She decided to see a therapist to help her deal with the stress of her new job.

    Example

    After the traumatic event, the company provided a licensed therapist to help employees process their experiences in a safe environment.

    Usage

    Often used as a general term for anyone from a counsellor to a psychologist.

  2. 2 physical or specialized treatment (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    a professional who helps you recover from a physical injury or a specific health issue.

    a specialist trained in a particular branch of rehabilitation or remedial treatment, such as physical or occupational therapy.

    Example

    The physical therapist showed him several exercises to strengthen his injured knee.

    Example

    The occupational therapist worked closely with the patient to adapt their home environment for better accessibility after the surgery.

    Usage

    Usually preceded by a qualifying adjective like 'physical', 'speech', or 'occupational'.

Origin

From therapy + -ist.

Word family

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