Complete guide to psychiatrist abbreviations and psychiatrist titles

There are numerous abbreviations in the world of behavioral health, which can be quite confusing—in this article, we list psychiatrist abbreviations and what their corresponding credentials and psychiatrist titles stand for.

Whether you’re the colleague of a mental health prescriber or a prescriber yourself, this comprehensive guide to psychiatrist abbreviations  and psychiatrist titles can help you understand the various roles and credentials in the field of psychiatry.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who completed additional training in psychiatry.

While other medical doctors complete their post-graduate training in internal medicine or surgery, a psychiatrist has spent an additional four years after medical school completing a psychiatry residency.

Degrees and psychiatrist abbreviations 

The two primary psychiatrist degree types are medical doctors (MD) and doctor of osteopathy (DO).

A psychiatrist needs to first complete medical school to obtain a medical degree (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) and then subsequently complete a four-year psychiatry residency.

A residency in psychiatry focuses on different areas of mental health and its intersection with physical health.

Prescriber vs psychiatrist abbreviations

The term “psychiatrist” and even the term “doctor” is sometimes used colloquially for other clinicians who have specialized focus on medication management in behavioral health (aka prescribers).

Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) have different base training, but ultimately focus on a similar type of treatment as psychiatrists.

Some nurse practitioners can receive a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP). And, in this case, they might refer to themselves as a doctor, despite a different focus in training and differences in how they have received supervision.

Different states have different laws as to whether NPs can practice independently.

Doctorates without psychiatrist titles

Individuals throughout a wide variety of fields of study can complete doctorate level training and be called a doctor.However, only doctors who graduate from medical school are called physicians.

Therefore, psychiatrist titles are quite varied, but traditionally, the term “psychiatrist” refers to a physician who has specialized training in mental health, has graduated from medical school, and can prescribe medication.

Fortunately, there are no additional psychiatrist abbreviations for each type of psychiatrist. That said, there are many other behavioral health abbreviations indicating various levels of training, licensure, degree types, and clinical practice.

This list of psychiatrist abbreviations, in addition to other mental health clinician abbreviations, can be a quick reference guide.

Psychiatrist abbreviations and other mental health abbreviations list

Understanding various mental health credentials, including psychiatrist abbreviations and their corresponding psychiatrist titles, can help you navigate the complexities of the mental health industry—whether you’re working within healthcare or seeking treatment.

Mental health professionals come from diverse educational backgrounds, each offering unique expertise in therapy, counseling, or medication management.

Below is a list of common mental health and psychiatrist abbreviations and their meanings, providing clarity on the qualifications and roles these professionals hold:

Psychiatrist abbreviations 

• Doctor of osteopathy (DO)
• Medical doctor (MD)

Mental health prescribers (non-physicians) 

• Nurse practitioner (NP)
• Doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
• Physician’s assistant (PA)

Doctorate-level mental health professionals (non-prescribers)

• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD): Geared towards a career in academia or research.
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD): Geared towards a career in clinical practice.
• Doctor of Social Work (DSW): A doctoral degree in social work, usually to advance in a leadership role within the field.

Licensed therapist abbreviations (non-prescribers) 

• Licensed Associate Counselor or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Pre-licensed interns or graduate degree completion in mental health

• Masters of Science, in psychology or related field (MS)
• Masters of Social Work (MSW)
• Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI)
• Registered Clinical Social Work Intern (RCSWI)
• Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (RMFTI)

What are the types of psychiatrists?

The field of psychiatry has several different subspecialties and is regulated by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The subspecialties require an additional 1-2 years of training called a fellowship.

The following are the different types of psychiatrists:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry: These psychiatrists specialize in helping children and teens manage mental health challenges, including behavioral issues, anxiety, and developmental disorders.
• Forensic psychiatry: Forensic psychiatrists focus on the intersection of mental health and the law, working on cases involving criminal behavior, competency evaluations, and legal testimony.
• Geriatric psychiatry: These specialists care for the mental health of older adults, addressing challenges like dementia, depression, and anxiety related to aging.
• Addiction psychiatry: Addiction psychiatrists help people overcome substance abuse and related mental health struggles, guiding them toward recovery.
• Consult-liaison psychiatry: Often called “medical psychiatrists,” these psychiatrists work most often in hospitals and collaborate with other doctors to address the mental health needs of patients dealing with complex medical conditions.

Is a psychotherapist a doctor?

A psychotherapist is an individual who provides mental health therapy to patients.

Psychotherapy is a treatment approach that involves talking about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to understand them better.

While physicians (psychiatrists) can do psychotherapy, it’s often not their primary focus. Although psychiatrist titles may include the role of psychotherapist, psychiatrists usually focus on approaches that involve medical abnormalities, prescribing medication, and/or considering vitamins and supplements as part of ongoing mental health treatment.

Despite an abundance of psychotherapy training during residency, only a small percentage of psychiatrists solely practice psychotherapy.

Most psychiatrists focus on medication management in some combination with psychotherapy. However, psychiatrists may pursue specializations and clinical orientations that may empower them to focus their clinical practices on their specific niches.

Because psychiatrists comprise a very small percentage of the total number of clinicians in mental health, the vast majority of individuals who focus primarily on psychotherapy are not physicians—meaning they don’t have the psychiatrist title or psychiatrist abbreviations that indicates they went to medical school.

Most psychotherapists are typically advanced degree level clinicians, such as social workers, counselors, therapists, and trained psychologists—with PhDs or PsyDs.

What is the difference between psychotherapy and counseling?

The word “therapy” is often used interchangeably with “counseling” by individuals not in the field. Psychotherapy and counseling both involve talking with a trained professional to address emotional or psychological issues, but they differ in focus and depth.

Psychotherapy typically deals with more complex, long-term mental health concerns, such as trauma or chronic disorders, and aims to explore deep-rooted patterns and unconscious processes.

Counseling is often more short-term and focuses on specific issues like stress, relationships, or decision-making, offering practical strategies for immediate concerns.

Counseling would be an appropriate type of treatment for an addiction rehabilitation center, for example. Upon discharge, the individual may engage in more in-depth psychotherapy.

While psychotherapists usually have advanced training in mental health, counselors may focus more on guidance and support without delving as deeply into past experiences.

Psychiatrist titles are often not considered counselors, since they are more likely to do psychotherapy with their patients.

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