therapist

The word “therapist” means a professional who provides treatment for physical, mental or emotional problems. In plain terms, someone trained to help treat mental, emotional, or physical problems.

“Therapist” is pronounced THEH-ruh-pihst (/ˈθɛɹəpɪst/ in IPA).

Here is “therapist” used in a sentence: “She has been seeing a therapist to work through her anxiety.”

“Therapist” is a noun.

“Therapist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

A "therapist" is a broad term for a professional who treats physical, mental, or emotional problems, often through talking therapies. A "psychiatrist" is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health and can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication, which most therapists cannot.

"Therapist" is a general label for someone who provides treatment for various problems, while a "psychologist" has specific training in the study of the mind and behaviour, usually to degree level. Many psychologists work as therapists, but not every therapist is a psychologist.

The terms overlap, and both help people with emotional difficulties through talking. "Counsellor" often suggests shorter-term support focused on a specific issue, while "therapist" can cover deeper or longer-term treatment, though usage varies widely.

No. A "therapist" treats physical, mental, or emotional problems, so the word also covers roles such as physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist. The type of therapy is usually made clear by a describing word placed in front.