psychologist

psychologist — noun

1. A person trained in psychology — the scientific study of the mind, feelings, and

1.nounB2
Definition

A person trained in psychology — the scientific study of the mind, feelings, and actions — who may work as a researcher or help people with emotional and mental difficulties through therapy.

Example

Imani decided to see a psychologist after weeks of feeling anxious about her job.

see a psychologist about [problem]

The school hired a psychologist to help students deal with exam stress and social pressures.

institution + hire + psychologist + infinitive of purpose

Common collocations
  • clinical psychologist
  • child psychologist
  • school psychologist
  • registered psychologist
  • consult a psychologist
  • psychologist's office
  • a team of psychologists
Synonyms
  • therapist

    broader term that includes psychologists, social workers, and counsellors

  • counsellor

    usually a shorter period of training; often focuses on specific life issues such as grief or career change

  • psychotherapist

    specialist in talk therapy; may or may not have a psychology degree

  • psychoanalyst

    a psychologist or therapist trained in Freudian or Jungian deep-analysis methods

Grammar Patterns

see a psychologist about [problem]

work as a psychologist

refer someone to a psychologist

Usage Note

Do not confuse with 'psychiatrist'. A psychologist is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication in most countries. In contrast, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe drugs and often treats more severe mental illness.

Common Mistakes

I went to a psychologist for my broken leg.
I went to a psychologist for my anxiety.
Psychologists help with emotional and mental issues, not physical injuries.
The psychologist prescribed me sleeping tablets.
The psychologist helped me learn ways to sleep better through therapy.
Only psychiatrists (medical doctors) can prescribe medication in most places.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A psychologist holds a university degree (often a PhD or master's) in psychology and studies the mind, emotions, and behaviour. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who specialises in mental illness and can prescribe medication — this is the key legal difference. A therapist is a broader label covering anyone trained to provide talk therapy, including psychologists, social workers, and marriage counsellors. A counsellor typically has fewer years of training than a psychologist and focuses on specific problems such as grief, addiction, or career choices. For example, someone with long-term depression might see both a psychiatrist for medication and a psychologist for weekly talk therapy, while a person coping with a recent divorce might only need a counsellor.

psychologist ↗psychiatrist ↗therapist ↗counsellor ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • work as a psychologist
  • see a psychologist
  • refer someone to a psychologist
  • consult a psychologist

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The word 'psychologist' was formed in English in the 1700s from 'psychology' (the study of the mind) plus the suffix '-ist' (someone who practises or studies something). 'Psychology' itself comes from two Greek roots: 'psyche' (ψυχή), meaning 'mind, breath, or soul', and 'logia' (λογία), meaning 'study of' or 'discourse'. So a psychologist is literally someone who studies the mind.