Understanding Professional Credentials

Therapists, counselors, and psychologists have a variety of credentials and licenses which can be confusing. Below are the credentials you’ll most commonly find when selecting the right professional to help in treating your child.

ABFP

Board certification by the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP). The Forensic Board is an affiliate of the ABPP that offers a Diploma in Forensic Psychology to those psychologists who satisfactorily complete the requirements for achieving Specialty Board Certification. (American Board of Forensic Psychology)

ABPP

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) grants Diplomate certification to licensed psychologists who demonstrate an advanced level of competency and experience in their service specialty. To obtain this certification, a psychologist must undergo a rigorous written and oral examination process by a team of examiners certified in that specialty.

ACSW

Academy of Certified Social Workers license. The social work practitioner with the ACSW license has a graduate academic degree and has completed two years of supervised clinical work experience and 20 hours of relevant continuing education. Licensed clinical social workers may be approved providers in most insurance and managed-care plans.

APRNM

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses have a master’s degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing. These nurses are eligible to be licensed as therapists. APRNs provide a range of primary mental health care services to individuals, families, and groups, and function as psychotherapists, educators, consultants, advanced case managers, or administrators. Many states require certification by a national body prior to practicing. Once licensed, APRNs are authorized to prescribe medications. (American Nursing Association)

ATR-BC

Registered Art Therapist. Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy and hold a master’s degree in art therapy or a related field. Upon completion of the ATR, professionals may seek further certification through the Art Therapy Credentials Board, (ATCB). To obtain certification, the therapist must have postgraduate supervised experience and must have passed a written exam.

BCD

The Board Certified Diplomate certification is granted to practitioners who demonstrate a high level of competency and experience in their field and have five years and 7,500 hours of post-graduate clinical practice (including 3,000 hours under supervision). BCD professionals can be social workers, counselors, psychologists, or other mental-health professionals.

CGP

A Certified Group Psychotherapist is a clinical mental health professional who meets nationally accepted criteria of education, training, and experience in group psychotherapy.

CHT

The Certified Hypnotherapist has received training in hypnotherapy.

CSW

Clinical Social Workers must have a master’s or doctorate degree in social work, with an emphasis on clinical experience. They must undergo a supervised clinical internship and have at least two years of postgraduate supervised clinical social work employment. Clinical social workers are approved providers in most insurance and managed-care plans.

DCSW

The Diplomate in Clinical Social Work is the highest distinction from the National Association of Social Workers. Recipients hold a master’s or doctorate degree, have completed five years of postgraduate clinical social work as well as additional coursework, and have been licensed by the state or the Academy of Certified Social Workers. These professionals can receive health-care insurance reimbursements.

EdD

Many professionals with a Doctor of Education practice therapy. They are trained in child development and education, sometimes with a focus on educational planning and assessment. A total of four years of study is usually necessary to receive an EdD.

FAACP

Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology.?Psychologists who pass the American Board of Clinical Psychology’s Board Certification examination in Clinical Psychology are eligible receive the FAACP credential.

LCP

These psychologists have a doctoral degree from an accredited clinical psychology program that includes coursework in personality and psychopathology. They assess and help promote mental health in individuals and groups through therapy, psychoanalysis, and other methods. A license is required to practice clinical psychology in all states. (Society of Clinical Psychology, American Psychological?Association.)

LCPC

A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor has advanced training, a graduate academic degree, clinical work experience, and has completed a state-certified licensing examination. Counselors often treat people dealing with problems such as alcoholism, addiction, or eating disorders. Some specialize in marriage, family, or child counseling. With this license, the counselor can work independently and can receive health-care insurance reimbursements.

LCSW

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker has a graduate academic degree, has had supervised clinical work experience, and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam. This advanced professional can receive health-care insurance reimbursements.

LCSW-C

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Clinical has a graduate academic degree, has had supervised clinical work experience, has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam, and has a higher level of clinical experience than that required by the LCS credential. This advanced professional can receive health-care insurance reimbursements.

LCSW-R

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker-R has a graduate academic degree, has had supervised clinical work experience, and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam. The “R” designation indicates that the practitioner can possibly receive third-party insurance reimbursement.

LICSW

A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker has a master’s degree in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This professional has also had supervised clinical work experience and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam. This advanced professional can receive health-care insurance reimbursements.

LMFT

The Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist has a graduate academic degree, clinical work experience, and has passed state-certified licensing exams. Along with a two- to three-year master’s programs with a practicum and internship, LMFTs are required to complete clinical training in individual or family therapy. Some states require completion of 3000 hours of service.

LMHC

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor has advanced training, a graduate academic degree, clinical work experience, and has completed a state-certified licensing examination. Counselors often treat people dealing with problems such as alcoholism, addiction, or eating disorders. Some specialize in marriage, family, or child counseling.

LMSW

The Licensed Master Social Worker has advanced training, a graduate academic degree, has had supervised clinical work experience, and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam.

LMSWCC

Individuals who are on their way to becoming Licensed Master Social Workers can use the conditional clinical designation. The fully licensed clinical social worker has a graduate academic degree, has had supervised clinical work experience, and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam. This advanced professional can receive health-care insurance reimbursements. The LMSWCC may not engage in private clinical practice unless permitted under certain conditions.

The Licensed Psychoanalyst has obtained a license from the state department of education. Recipients must have a master’s degree or higher, and must have completed psychoanalytic study in a program qualified by the state department of education. This professional has completed a supervised psychoanalysis program and has passed a state-certified examination.

LPC

The Licensed Professional Counselor has advanced training, a graduate academic degree, clinical work experience, and has passed a state-certified licensing examination. Counselors treat all sorts of problems: from alcoholism and eating disorders to relationship issues and depression.

LPCC

A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor has a level of licensure above the licensed professional counselor. These professionals have advanced training, a graduate academic degree, clinical work experience, and have passed a state-certified licensing examination. Counselors often treat people dealing with problems such as alcoholism, addiction, or eating disorders. Some specialize in marriage, family, or child counseling.

LSW

The Licensed Social Worker has a graduate academic degree, has completed supervised clinical work experience, and has passed a national or state-certified licensing exam.

A Master of Counseling is postgraduate preparation for a variety of careers in the helping professions, and usually requires two years of study. Many counselors and social workers hold a master’s degree, and many Ph.D. psychologists earn a master’s “en route” to earning their doctorate degree.

MCC

Master Conditional (Clinical) is short for Licensed Master Social Worker Conditional Clinical. This individual is on her way to completing the consultation hours required to become a licensed clinical social worker. The MCC may not engage in private clinical practice unless permitted under certain conditions.??MD ?The Doctor of Medicine is the most common degree held by physicians and surgeons. Most MDs who work in mental health are psychiatrists. After completing medical school, they receive an additional four years of clinical training in mental health specialties. Psychiatrists treat emotional and mental disorders and are licensed to prescribe medication. These professionals may treat psychiatric disorders with therapy in conjunction with psychotropic medications.

MEd

A Master of Education is a two-year postgraduate degree. These professionals, while often knowledgeable in educational administration, may also go on to obtain licensure for careers in mental health counseling.

MFT

The Marriage and Family Therapist has a graduate academic degree, earned in two to five years, plus clinical work experience, which can take one to three years. Therapists with an MFT treat a wide range of problems focusing on families and relationships. All states except Montana, North Dakota, and West Virginia offer MFT licensing exams. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)

MFTI

A Marriage and Family Therapist Intern holds a master’s degree and is working toward licensure as a marriage and family therapist (MFT or LMFT). The marriage and family therapist has a graduate academic degree, earned in two to five years, plus clinical work experience, which can take one to three years. Therapists with an MFT treat a wide range of problems, focusing on families and relationships. All states except Montana, North Dakota, and West Virginia offer MFT licensing exams. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)

MSW

The Master of Social Work degree typically requires two to four years of study. This professional works with an individual in the context of the wider community, helping those dealing with domestic violence, child abuse, drug abuse, or foster-care issues, among many others.

NCC

The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) issues the Nationally Certified Counselor certification. The NBCC certifies counselors who have passed the National Counselor Examination for Licensure (NCE). This professional credential requires an advanced degree in counseling, clinical training, face-to-face counseling, among other course work. (National Board for Certified Counselors)

PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy is an academic degree earned in four to seven years. Many psychologists, therapists, counselors, and coaches hold a doctorate of philosophy. A PhD in psychology emphasizes theory as well as statistics and data gathering. Psychologists with a PhD are also fully trained in the assessment and treatment of all behavioral conditions. (American Psychological Association)

PsyD

The Doctor of Psychology, PsyD, is a professional degree that focuses on the practical application of therapy and counseling.

Many Registered Nurses are eligible to be licensed as therapists. They provide a range of primary mental health care services to individuals, families, and groups.