noun
shrink
An informal term for a mental health professional who provides therapy.
She talks to her shrink about stress at work.
Etymology
Shrink shortens headshrinker, a joking slang name for a psychiatrist or therapist. The expression figuratively compares mental treatment with reducing or working on the head.
More examples
- My shrink helps me work through difficult feelings.
- Finding a shrink you trust can take time.
- The two shrinks offer different approaches to treating anxiety.
Forms
shrink · shrinks
Similar words
- therapist
- A neutral term emphasizing treatment through counseling or other therapy.
- psychiatrist
- Specifically a medical doctor who treats mental illness and prescribes medication.
- psychologist
- Specifically a professional trained in psychology, not necessarily a physician.