How to Say "therapist" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “therapist” is “psicólogo” — use this term for a general psychologist or therapist you might see for common mental health issues in everyday conversation.
Use this term for a general psychologist or therapist you might see for common mental health issues in everyday conversation.
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This is a good general term for any professional providing treatment, especially when you want to emphasize their role as a healer or practitioner.
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Use this word specifically when referring to a psychoanalyst, someone trained in psychoanalysis, often in a more formal or specialized therapeutic setting.
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Examples
Mi psicólogo es muy simpático y me escucha bien.
My psychologist is very nice and listens to me well.
teh-rah-PEH-oo-tahte.ɾaˈpeu̯.ta
Examples
Necesito una cita con la terapeuta para hablar de mi estrés.
I need an appointment with the therapist to talk about my stress.
El fisioterapeuta me dio ejercicios para la rodilla lesionada.
The physical therapist gave me exercises for my injured knee.
Busca un terapeuta que se especialice en terapia familiar.
Look for a therapist who specializes in family therapy.
Gender is in the Article
This word is the same for men and women. You use 'el' for a male therapist (el terapeuta) and 'la' for a female therapist (la terapeuta).
Don't Change the Ending
Mistake: “Usar 'terapeuto' para un hombre.”
Correction: The correct form ends in '-a' for everyone: 'el terapeuta' and 'la terapeuta'. The word itself is fixed.
ah-nah-LEES-tahanaˈlista
Examples
Mi analista me recomendó escribir un diario.
My psychoanalyst recommended I keep a journal.
Llevo tres años viendo al mismo analista.
I've been seeing the same analyst for three years.
Shortened Version
In many Spanish-speaking countries (especially Argentina), people say 'analista' as a shorter, more casual way of saying 'psicoanalista'.
General vs. Specific Therapy Terms
The most common mistake is using 'psicólogo' for all types of therapists. While it's often understood, remember that 'terapeuta' is broader and 'analista' is specific to psychoanalysis. Choose based on the professional's specialization and the context.
Related Translations
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