The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word THERAPIST
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
H
E
R
A
P
I
S
T
More clues leading to the result THERAPIST
- Shrink the cuff before it’s embroidered
- Health worker, one who believes criticism is accepted
- Believer receiving punishment from practitioner
- Bitten by bug, the woman first finds provider of treatment
- One might treat this model, picking up Penny on important date
- Possibly shrink from believer grabbing cuff
- Blow absorbed by person with faith in analyst
- Provider of treatment — his patter is phoney
- He heals, adjusting his patter accordingly
- One who treats hip with manipulation
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "provider of treatment" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case provider of treatment = therapist.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does THERAPIST mean?
THERAPIST noun- Someone who provides therapy, usually professionally.