Therapists, psychologists and counselors have a range of credentials and licenses.
EdD
Doctor of education. Professionals with EdD’s practice therapy just as those
with PhDs. Many of these professionals are trained in child development and
education, sometimes with a focus on educational planning and assessment. Some
work as school superintendents, principals or directors of nonprofit
organizations. The MEd is a master's level degree in education that typically
takes two years to earn. A total of four years of study is usually necessary to
receive an EdD. (American Psychological Association)
MA or MS, MC
A master of arts, master of science, or master of counseling can be earned in
counseling, psychology or related fields. It usually requires two years of
post-collegiate study. Many MA programs also require a thesis. Many counselors
and social workers hold a master's degree, and many PhD psychologists earn a
master's en route to earning their doctoral degree. (American Psychological
Association)
MD
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, 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. (American Psychiatric Association)
MSW or MSSW
Master of social work. A social worker works with an individual in the context
of the wider community. He or she helps those dealing with domestic violence,
child abuse, drug abuse or foster-care issues, among many others. Social workers
often practice therapy on their own or in settings such as schools, clinics, or
government agencies. The MSW typically requires two to four years of study. (National Association of Social Workers)
PhD, PsyD.
Clinical psychologists have a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree, earned after four to seven
years of graduate study. Psychologists with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. are fully trained
in the assessment and treatment of all behavioral conditions, from anxiety and
depression to anger and resentment. They help mentally and emotionally
distressed clients/patients to adjust to life, and may assist medical patients
in dealing with illnesses or injuries. They may help people deal with personal
crises, such as divorce or the death of a loved one. (American Psychological
Association and the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
ABFP
Board certification by the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP), or the
"Forensic Board." 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
Board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).
Certification assures that specialists have successfully completed the
educational, training, and experience requirements, including an examination
designed to assess competency.
APRN or APN, ARNPP, MHN
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) have a master's degree in
psychiatric-mental health nursing. These nurses are eligible to be licensed as
therapists. APRN’s 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, APRN’s are
authorized to prescribe medications.
(American Nursing Association)
ATR, 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 degree, professionals may seek further certification through the Art Therapy
Credentials Board, (ATCB). To obtain certification, the therapist must have
postgraduate supervised experience and pass a written examination administered
by the board. The ATR-BC credential requires maintenance with continuing
education courses to keep standards high. All art therapists work with
individuals, couples, families or groups. They often work as part of a team in
settings such as community outreach programs, schools, nursing homes,
corporations and independent practices. (American Art Therapy Association, Art
Therapy Credentials Board)
BCETS
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress. This credential establishes a
standard for professionals, across disciplines, who regularly work with
survivors of traumatic events. To achieve this credential, a comprehensive
application and examination, along with supporting documentation, are utilized
in concert to validate a member's experience in working with survivors of
traumatic events, knowledge of the literature and level of education. (American
Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress)
BCPCC
Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor.
CEAP
Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) identifies those individuals
who have met established standards for competent, client-centered practice and
who adhere to a professional code of conduct designed to ensure the highest
standards in the delivery of employee assistance services. The credential is now
recognized by employers, human resources professionals, accrediting agencies,
and employees as the standard in employee assistance. (Employee Assistance
Professionals Association)
CEDS
A Certified Eating Disorder Specialist treats the full spectrum of eating
disorder problems and has received education, training and specialized
credentials for working with people with eating disorders.
CISW
A Certified Independent Social Worker may evaluate and intervene in complex
difficulties in psychosocial functioning. A certified independent social worker
may engage in psychotherapeutic activities only under the supervision of a
person authorized by the board or by DHFS to supervise the practice of clinical
social work in a clinic setting. No person may use the title "independent
social worker" unless he or she is certified as an independent social worker in
the state of Wisconsin.
(Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing)
CTS
Certified Trauma Specialist. The CTS designation was created for counselors,
clinicians, and treatment specialists who provide individual, group, and/or
family counseling, therapy or support for trauma victims and survivors.
(Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists)
CST
Certified Sex Therapist.
Certified sex therapists are mental health professionals, trained to provide
in-depth psychotherapy, who have specialized in treating clients with sexual
issues and concerns. They are either licensed, or in the absence of available
licensure, certified, registered, or clinical members of a national
psychotherapy organization. AASECT requires sex counselors and therapists to
fulfill specific and rigorous training requirements in order to become
certified. (AASECT- American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and
Therapists)
DMin
The doctor of ministry is an advanced professional degree for those in the
practice of ministry. It differs from a PhD in that its focus is on competence
in the practice of ministry rather than on advanced academic research. There are
different tracks of study: in Pastoral Ministry, for example, degree candidates
must first receive a master of divinity or the equivalent, and have at least
three years' experience in full-time pastoral ministry. (The Association of
Theological Schools)
LCSW or ACSW, LCS, LICSW, CSW
The licensed clinical social worker has a graduate academic degree, has
completed supervised clinical work experience and has passed a national- or
state-certified licensing exam. This advanced practitioner holds a license that
allows him or her to receive health-care insurance reimbursements.
(National Association of Social Workers)
LMFT or MFCC
The licensed marriage and family therapist has a graduate academic degree (a 2-
to 3-year master's degree or a 3- to 5-year doctoral degree), clinical work
experience and has passed a state-certified licensing exam. Most states offer
this license. Along with the two- to three-year full-time masters programs with
a practicum and internship, LMFTs are required to complete 1,000 hours of
individual or family therapy with 100 hours of supervision. This can take one to
three years.
(American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
LPC or LCPC, LMHC, DAC, MFCC
Licensed professional counselor or licensed mental health counselor. A licensing
qualification is granted to those who have advanced training, a graduate
academic degree, clinical work experience and have passed a state-certified
licensing examination. (American Counseling Association)
NCC
The Nationally Certified Counselor is the certification issued by the National
Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), an independent organization that grew out
of the American Counseling Association (ACA). The NBCC is an independent
certification body. NBCC and ACA work together to further the profession of
counseling. The ACA concentrates on membership association activities such as
conferences, professional development, publications and government relations.
The NBCC focuses on promoting quality counseling through certification. NBCC's
flagship credential is the National Certified Counselor (NCC). It also offers
specialty certification in several areas: school counseling: the National
Certified School Counselor (NCSC); clinical mental health counseling: the
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC); addictions counseling: the
Master Addictions Counselor (MAC). (National Board of Certified Counselors)
SAC, CSAC or SAC-IT
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor* is a professional who has specialized
education in substance abuse and training related to the performance of the
eight practice dimensions, counseling theories and techniques to treat substance
abuse and substance use disorders. (*Note: Those individuals who formerly
held Wisconsin Certification Board credentials of CADC, CADC-D, CADC-II
transferred to the Department of Regulation & Licensing as certified Substance
Abuse Counselors.)