Did someone's cat walk across the key board or does that jumble of letters following someone's name actually mean something? Let's find out!
What does LMHC mean?
LMHC means Licensed Mental Health Counselor. In order to become an LMHC in the state of Florida, a person needs to complete a Masters program in Mental Health Counseling (2.5 year program). They then need to complete 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience, pass their licensure exam, and complete 3 CE courses required by the state of Florida. This cannot be completed in less than 2 years as per Florida legislature.
What does LMFT mean?
LMFT means Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. To be a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, it means a person completed their masters program in Mental Health Counseling and met all of the same requirements for the LMHC; however, the licensure exam is for Marriage & Family. The required supervisor hours must be performed by a Qualified Supervisor in the field of marriage & family therapy.
What does M.S. mean?
M.S. Means a Masters of Science. For me, I completed a masters program with the USF College of Medicine in Biomedical Science.
What does M.A. mean?
M.A. refers to a Masters of Arts. My M.A. degree is in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
What does DBT mean?
DBT stands for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. DBT was created by Marsha Linehan. DBT can be categorized as "DBT-lite," or "DBT-informed," and "adherent DBT." Adherent DBT means the therapist is upholding the 4 modes of DBT: 1) individual therapy 2) is affiliated with a DBT skills group or teaches one 3) provides in-the-moment skills phone coaching 4) belongs to a DBT consultation team.DBT-lite or DBT-informed usually means that the client will get some exposure to DBT, such as referencing the skills book on occasion in session. In the moment phone coaching, attending a structured, 6 month skills group, and the therapist belonging to a DBT consultation team are not included with DBT-lite or DBT informed therapy. If you have been recommended DBT treatment, it is very important that your therapist evaluate if you need DBT-informed or adherent DBT treatment. Not receiving the full "dose" of therapy is just as ineffective as not taking the full dose of an antibiotic. If you are looking for DBT therapy, be sure to ask if your therapist practices DBT-informed or DBT adherent treatment, and if they know the difference :P
What does RO DBT mean?
RO DBT stands for Radically Open DBT and was created by Dr. Thomas Lynch. RO DBT is a newer treatment model that is being used to treat perfectionism, chronic anxiety, chronic depression, and anorexia nervosa. RO DBT has a relevant skills group.
What does ERP mean?
ERP stands for Exposure and Response Prevention.It is the standard treatment for treating OCD, phobias, and panic disorder. I could probably give a TedTalk on ERP treatment so I will end the description here (as opposed to writing a mini thesis) and if you have questions about it, feel free to ask!
What does EFT mean?
EFT is Emotionally Focused Therapy created by Sue Johnson. Research indicates that it is the most effective couples therapy models. EFT is based in attachment theory and has two different "branches," of treatment, EFIT - Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (aka EFT adapted for working with individuals) and EFFT, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy
What does ART mean?
ART stands for Accelerated Resolution Therapy. It is one of two commonly used eye-movement therapies used to treat trauma. The other eye-movement therapy you may have heard of is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Eye-movement therapy in ART and EMDR references a technique that moves your eyes from left to right, similar to when you are asleep. EMDR and ART are both used while you are wide awake! One of the biggest differences between ART and EMDR is the client does not say their traumatic events aloud in ART, while they do in EMDR. I have found this difference to be crucial in clients who are easily flooded by their traumatic events and can benefit by not needing to voice their traumas aloud.
What does IFS mean?
IFS means Internal Family Systems. It's a treatment model similar to attachment theory and works with the different sides or parts of ourself that can often be in conflict. The goal of IFS is to resolve inner conflict and create a better relationship with one's self
What does CBT mean?
CBT means Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It was one of the first treatment models to be heavily supported by research. Personally, I have found the pros of CBT to include a short-term length of treatment, and it is quite straight forward, directive, and educational. I find its limitations to be that it does not help folks identify or process emotions -- a common remark I used to hear when only practicing CBT in the hospital setting was, "I know it's completely irrational to fear flying on airplanes and that you're more likely to die in a car crash, but, I'm still afraid!!" Personally, I find folks often need more than CBT to fully address their concerns.Thankfully, over the years, CBT has acted like an umbrella treatment model that provided the foundation for other treatment models like ERP and DBT.
Alphabet Soup Cont'd
Let's breakdown some acronyms that you'll probably cross on Psychology Today or other therapist profiles
What does LCSW mean?
It refers to: Licensed Clinical Social Worker. It means a person received their Masters in Social Work, completed their clinical hour requirement and passed the Clinical Social Work licensure exam.
What does PhD mean?
It means the therapist earned their Doctorate of Philosophy. There are different areas that someone can focus their PhD degree in, such as clinical psychology, organizational psychology, sports psychology, etc. These degrees can take up to 7 years to earn and require the doctorate to perform clinical research. Someone who has a PhD can be referred to as a psychologist.
What does PsyD mean?
PsyD stands for a Doctorate of Psychology. These programs tend to heavily concentrate on psychological academia without requiring clinical research and are thus often several years shorter than a PhD. Someone who has a PsyD can be referred to as a psychologist.
What does MSEd mean?
Masters of Science in Education. These programs are geared toward therapists who want to work in a school setting.
What does RMHCI mean?
RMHCI stands for a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. This is a person who has completed their masters program in Mental Health Counseling and is not yet licensed. The general steps are complete masters degree, intern period, licensed.
What does MCAP mean?
Masters Level Certified Addiction Professional. These folks need a masters degree first and then sit for their CAP exam (Certified Addiction Professional). Once they pass that, they are then an MCAP.
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