Therapist Credentials

Descriptions for common therapist credentials, helping therapists and clients alike make sense of all the different acronyms and suffixes and titles that exist in the mental health profession.

ACSW: Academy of Clinical Social Workers

A certification for clinical social workers demonstrating advanced skills.


AMFT: Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

An associate-level license for professionals providing therapy to couples and families.


APCC: Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

An associate-level license for clinical counseling under supervision.


APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

A registered nurse with advanced clinical training, often in mental health care.


ATR-BC: Registered Art Therapist - Board Certified

A therapist specializing in art as a form of psychotherapy.


BC-DMT: Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist

A therapist using movement for emotional expression and healing.


CAC-AD: Certified Associate Counselor - Alcohol and Drug

A counselor certified to assist with alcohol and drug addiction treatment.


CADC: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

A counselor certified to treat individuals with substance use disorders.


CAGS: Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

A post-master’s degree focusing on advanced professional skills.


CAMF: Certified Anger Management Facilitator

A professional certified to provide anger management counseling.


CAP: Certified Addictions Professional

A professional certified to address addiction and substance abuse.


CAPT: Certified Advanced Practice Therapist

A therapist certified to provide advanced therapeutic services.


CCADC: Certified Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor

A professional certified to provide clinical addiction counseling.


CCH: Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

A therapist certified in using hypnosis for mental health treatment.


C.C.I.: Certified in Crisis Intervention

A professional certified to provide immediate support in crisis situations.


CCMHC: Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor

A counselor certified in clinical mental health care.


CCSW: Certified Clinical Social Worker

A social worker certified to provide clinical mental health services.


C.E.C.R.: Certified in Emergency Crisis Response

A professional certified in handling emergency mental health crises.


CHT: Certified Hypnotherapist

A professional certified to use hypnosis as a therapeutic tool.


CMAT: Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist

A therapist certified to treat clients with multiple addictions.


CMFT: Certified Marriage and Family Therapist

A therapist certified to work with couples and families.


CMSW: Certified Master Social Worker

An advanced certification in social work.


CpastC: Certified Pastoral Counselor

A counselor certified in providing spiritual and psychological guidance.


CPLC: Certified Professional Life Coach

A professional coach certified to support personal development.


CRC: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

A counselor who helps individuals with disabilities achieve personal, career, and independent living goals.


CSAC: Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

A counselor certified to work with individuals facing substance abuse issues.


CSAT: Certified Sex Addiction Therapist

A therapist specialized in treating sex addiction and related issues.


DAPA: Diplomate, American Psychotherapy Association

A distinguished certification in psychotherapy from the American Psychotherapy Association.


DCEP: Diplomat Comprehensive Energy Psychology

A practitioner certified in using energy psychology for therapeutic purposes.


DDiv: Doctor of Divinity

A doctoral degree in theology and religious studies.


DMin: Doctor of Ministry

A professional doctoral degree focused on ministry practice.


DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice

A clinical doctoral degree for advanced practice nurses.


DO: Doctor of Osteopathy

A medical degree with a holistic approach to treatment.


DSW: Doctor of Social Work

An advanced degree in social work practice and leadership.


EdD: Doctor of Education

A doctoral degree focused on education and leadership.


FNP-BC: Family Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified

A board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in family care.


LAADC: Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor

A licensed professional specializing in advanced addiction counseling.


LADC: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

A state-recognized license for addiction counseling.


LAMFT: Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

An entry-level license for marriage and family therapists.


LASAC: Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor

An entry-level license for substance abuse counseling.


LCMHC: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

A licensed counselor specializing in clinical mental health care.


LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

A state-recognized license for providing professional counseling services.


LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker

A state-recognized license for clinical social work practice.


LCSW-C: Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical

A social worker licensed to provide clinical mental health services.


LGSW: Licensed Graduate Social Worker

A social worker licensed at the graduate level, typically working under supervision.


LICSW: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

A social worker licensed to practice independently in clinical settings.


LIMHP: Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner

A licensed practitioner able to provide mental health care independently.


LISW: Licensed Independent Social Worker

A licensed social worker who practices independently.


LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

A licensed therapist specializing in relationships and family dynamics.


LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor

A licensed counselor specializing in mental health.


LP: Licensed Psychologist

A licensed professional specializing in psychology and mental health.


LPA: Licensed Psychological Associate

A licensed associate qualified to provide psychological services under supervision.


LpastC: Licensed Pastoral Counselor

A licensed counselor integrating spiritual guidance with mental health care.


LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor

A licensed counselor specializing in mental health services.


LPCC: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

A licensed counselor providing clinical mental health services.


LPCMH: Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health

A licensed counselor specializing in mental health care.


LPE: Licensed Psychological Examiner

A licensed professional specializing in psychological assessments.


LSATP: Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner

A licensed practitioner specializing in substance abuse treatment.


LSCSW: Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker

A licensed social worker specializing in clinical practice.


LSW: Licensed Social Worker

A social worker licensed to provide mental health services under supervision.


MAOP: Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology

A degree focused on applying psychology to organizational settings.


MEd: Master of Education

A graduate degree focused on education theory and practice.


MS: Master of Science

A graduate degree in science-related fields.


MSEd: Master of Science in Education

A graduate degree in education science.


MSN: Master of Science in Nursing

An advanced degree for registered nurses specializing in clinical practice.


MSW: Master of Social Work

A graduate degree in social work focusing on clinical practice.


NBCCH: National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

A therapist certified to use hypnotherapy in mental health treatment.


NBCDCH: National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy

A certified expert in clinical hypnotherapy.


NCC: National Certified Counselor

A national certification for professional counselors.


NCPsyA: Nationally Certified Psychoanalyst

A certified professional in psychoanalysis.


NCSC: National Certified School Counselor

A counselor certified to work in educational settings.


NCSP: Nationally Certified School Psychologist

A psychologist certified to work in school settings.


PLPC: Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor

A provisional license for professional counselors working under supervision.


PMHNP-BC: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified

An advanced practice nurse specialized in mental health care.


PsyD: Doctor of Psychology

A professional degree in psychology with a focus on clinical practice.


RAS: Registered Addiction Specialist

A professional certified to treat clients with addiction disorders.


RDT: Registered Drama Therapist

A therapist using drama and role-play as therapeutic tools.


REAT: Registered Expressive Arts Therapist

A therapist using multiple forms of creative expression in therapy.


RPT: Registered Play Therapist

A therapist specializing in play therapy for children.


RPT-S: Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

A play therapist with supervisory responsibilities.


SAP: Substance Abuse Professional

A professional specializing in substance abuse counseling and treatment.


SEP: Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

A practitioner specializing in trauma resolution through body awareness.


TLLP: Temporary Limited License Psychologist

A temporary license for psychologists working under supervision.