# therapist

/ˈθɛɹəpəst/ (US) · /θˈɛɹəpˌɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/therapist
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. mental health professional

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- She decided to see a therapist to help her deal with the stress of her new job.
- 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. physical or specialized treatment

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

## Examples

- I see my therapist once a week to talk about stress.
- After the car accident, he worked closely with a physical therapist to regain strength in his legs.
- While some patients prefer a directive approach, others benefit more from a therapist who facilitates self-discovery through active listening and open-ended questioning.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.