What do counselor and therapist abbreviations in titles stand for?

Wondering about those letters—the counselor, therapist abbreviations, and psychologist abbreviations—that appear after your behavioral health colleagues’ names on their therapist websites, bios, and directory listings?

All counselors and therapists have something important in common: they’re all working in the mental health space.

However, there is also something that varies between clinicians—the letters, therapist abbreviations, and psychologist abbreviations that come after their name.

Within the field of mental health, there are a large number of therapist titles—and each title comes with unique therapist credentials abbreviations. And each of the therapist abbreviations  can actually tell you a lot about the practitioner’s background and training—but only if you know what those abbreviations mean.

So what, exactly, does a counseling abbreviation list look like?

Let’s take a look at some of the common counselor, therapist, and psychologist abbreviations, what they stand for, and how to use therapist abbreviations correctly.

Why are there so many abbreviations?

Before we jump into the (lengthy!) list of credentials, therapist abbreviations, and psychologist abbreviations in the mental health space, let’s quickly touch on why, exactly, there are so many different credentials and abbreviations to begin with.

Differences in scope

The first (and most obvious) reason there are so many therapist abbreviations in mental health is because there are so many different types of practitioners in mental health.

While a counselor, a therapist, and a psychologist may have overlap in the work they do and the clients they see, there are also clear distinctions between each of them, including educational and licensing requirements and areas of focus.

The therapist abbreviations that follow clinicians’ names can give you key insights into what they do, their educational background, and where they specialize.

“What sets them apart is the type of school they went to, how long they studied there, and whether they have fulfilled state requirements to get licensed,” says Ivy Lynn Ellis, LCSW, an EMDR-certified therapist offering telehealth services in IL, WA, OH, MI, MN, and IN.

State differences

That being said, there are also many practitioners who have virtually the same (or a very similar) background and job duties—and yet they have different titles and therapist abbreviations.

That generally happens due to differences between U.S. states and their specific licensure processes and requirements.

“Different states have different educational, practicum, and supervision requirements that can make it complicated to negotiate state to state,” says Caleb Birkhoff, LMFT, a therapist based in the San Francisco Bay area.

“Different states also have varying requirements of what it means to practice in their state,” says Birkhoff. This can then impact their title.

For example, to apply for LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) licensure in Florida, applicants need to complete 100 hours of supervision and 1,500 hours of face-to-face therapy with clients—while in Georgia, applicants need 120 hours of supervision and 3,000 total hours before they can apply for licensure.

So, an LCSW in Florida would actually not be eligible for that title in Georgia—and instead, may be considered MSW (Master of Social Work).

Types of credentials

Another thing to consider is that there are different types of credentials in therapist abbreviations and psychologist abbreviations.

Some are academic, while others refer to the actual license.

For example, a therapist might meet the qualifications for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). And, after that, some go on to pursue their doctorate in marriage and family therapy—in which case they would use both the license and academic credentials.

So, when a clinician has more than one degree or licensure, what order do the various credential abbreviations go in when saying or writing someone’s title?

The order of credentials after a practitioner’s name is as follows:

• Highest academic degree
• Licensure
• State designations/requirements
• National certifications
• Any other relevant certifications

Therefore, using the example above, the practitioner would list their PhD before their LMFT: for example, Dr. Jane Smith, PhD, LMFT.

It’s also important to note that not all clinicians list their academic degrees in their therapist abbreviations—especially if their educational background is implied. For example, many titles (like LCSW) require you to have a master’s degree—so it can feel redundant to list both your master’s and your licensing (such as Mark Johnson, MSW, LCSW).

List of therapist abbreviations and psychologist abbreviations

Now, let’s break down credential abbreviations based on educational and experience level:

Associate level

In order to practice in the mental health field, the majority of positions require at least a master’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related field—which generally takes between two and three years to complete.

But when you transition into these fields, you don’t get licensed right out of school. Some mental health practitioners are still working on finishing up their licensing requirements; these “pre-licensed therapists with master’s degrees…are referred to as associates,” says Birkhoff.

Associates may work with and provide care to clients—but it’s always under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

“Due to their provisionally licensed status, they cannot yet practice independently,” says Dr. Jennifer Panning, PsyD, President and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Mindful Psychology Associates in Evanston, IL.

Some examples of associate-level titles include:

LMFTA: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate

“Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associates have completed a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and are working and being supervised under a fully licensed therapist,” says Panning. “Typically, LMFTAs work with families and couples for therapy as well as with individual clients.”

LAC: Licensed Associate Counselor

“A Licensed Associate Counselor has completed a master’s degree in counseling and is accruing hours for full licensure under the supervision of a fully licensed counselor,” says Panning.

MSW: Master of Social Work

“A Master of Social Work is the degree one receives by completing a graduate school course in social work,” says Ellis. “You are more limited in terms of where you can work, and have to work under a supervisor until you receive an independent license.”

Master’s level licensed

Once you meet your licensing requirements (which vary from state to state, but often require between two and three years of post-graduate clinical work) and pass any required state and/or national tests, you can officially apply for licensure—and once you do, your credential abbreviations will change.

There are a ton of different titles at this level; again, titles may vary across states—and clinicians with different areas of focus (like social work vs. marriage and family therapy) will hold different credentials and therapist abbreviations.

(One thing to note, however, is that there is often a lot of overlap between titles at this level. “That being said, the licenses are more interchangeable than they used to be,” says Birkhoff.)

Some examples of master’s level licensed counselor abbreviations include:

LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker

“A Licensed Clinical Social Worker refers to an independently licensed social worker who has completed a MSW (Master of Social Work) degree and several years of clinical experience,” says Panning. “LCSWs are able to provide counseling and psychotherapy, case management, and other related services.

LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor

“A Licensed Mental Health Counselor has completed a master’s degree in counseling and typically provides psychotherapy or case management services,” says Panning.

LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor

“A Licensed Professional Counselor has completed a master’s degree in counseling and typically provides psychotherapy or case management services,” says Panning. “LPCs tend to work in a variety of settings including hospital, higher level of care such as partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs, community mental health centers, outpatient practices,” says Panning.

LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

“A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist has completed a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and is independently licensed to provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families,” says Panning.

Doctorate level

There are plenty of mental health practitioners that pursue a doctorate (which can add on anywhere between five and eight years of additional school, clinical training, and, in the case of psychiatrists, residency).

If and when they do, there are new credentials and psychologist abbreviations that go along with it.

For example, “PsyD and PhD level practitioners have doctorates, can be licensed clinical psychologists, provide therapy, and often do psych testing,” says Birkhoff.

PsyD: Doctor of Psychology

“A graduate of a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program has completed their doctoral degree in clinical psychology,” says Panning. “PsyDs usually take at least five years to complete, and by the time they graduate, they will have completed several thousand hours in various clinical settings to gain experience in psychological assessment and testing as well as counseling and psychotherapy.”

The difference between PsyD and PhD has to do with the focus of the study.

“Unlike PhD programs, PsyD programs focus on training psychologists who will become clinicians—rather than researchers or academic focus in PhD programs,” says Panning says.

PhD: Doctor of Philosophy (in Psychology)

Psychology students that want to focus more on research or working in academia will typically pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology.

LCP: Licensed Clinical Psychologist

This clinical psychologist abbreviation indicates that the practitioner has both completed doctorate-level education in psychology and has passed all licensing requirements for clinical psychology.

(As mentioned earlier, the abbreviation for licensed psychologist would come after the educational credential; (for example, Dr. Caitlin Morrow, PsyD, LCP.).)

Psychiatry

Unlike other clinicians, psychiatrists can prescribe medication. As such, before they can practice, they must complete a medical degree—and, following graduation and licensure, they’ll receive a psychiatrist abbreviation, either an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine).

Specialty credentials

Many mental health practitioners opt to go into more specialized fields of study—many of which have their own certifications, credentials, and abbreviations.

Examples of specialty credentials/abbreviations include:

• CAC: Certified Addiction Counselor
• CAADC: Certified Advanced Addiction & Drug Counselor
• NCAC: National Certified Addiction Counselor
• APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• ATR: Registered Art Therapist
• ATR-BC: Registered Art Therapist Board Certified
• BCBT: Board Certification in Bereavement Trauma

Professional associations

Some mental health professionals also include abbreviations for professional associations they’re a part of.

For example:

• ABPP: American Board of Professional Psychology
• ACSW: Academy of Clinical Social Workers
• ADTR: Academy of Dance Therapists Registered

Hopefully this article has helped you to better understand the differences in credentials, therapist abbreviations, and psychologist abbreviations that you may see appear following the names of clinicians in the mental health space.

Sources:

1. NASW Florida Chapter. Licensure in Florida.
2. Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia. CHAPTER 135-5 REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE.
3. Indeed. How to List the Order of Credentials After a Name.
4. APA. What Is the Difference Between Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers?

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