Therapist
/ˈθɛr.ə.pɪst/noun
A person who treats or helps improve physical, mental, or emotional conditions.
Did you know?Therapist comes from Greek θεραπευτής (therapeutēs), originally someone who serves, attends, or heals, and it is built on the same ancient root as therapy—once tied to care, service, and ritual attention.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
θεραπεύειν (therapeuein)
“to attend, serve, care for, or treat medically”
Ancient Greek
Greek
θεραπευτής (therapeutēs)
“an attendant, servant, or healer”
Late Latin
Latin
therapeuta
“a healer or attendant”
16th Century
English
therapist
“a person who practices healing or treatment”
Modern English
English
therapist
“a practitioner who treats mental, emotional, or physical conditions”
Explore more surprising origins