List of credentials in psychology

This list is of professional and academic credentials in the field of psychology and allied fields, including psychotherapy, counseling and social work. Academic degrees such as the doctorate are available in these fields, but only those specifically for psychological subjects are included.

Degrees

;MA or MS in counseling psychology or clinical psychology :A master's degree in child development and family relationships.;MSW :The Master of Social Work is the professional terminal degree in social work. It leads to a clinical license, while the PhD in social work does not. In order to teach in a graduate MSW program, one must have an MSW and a PhD in a related field.;MSSW: The Master of Science Social Work;DSW :Doctor of Social Work ;Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare or Social Work :Used in most schools of social work,Fact|date=September 2008 it replaces the DSW.;DMFT :Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy;PsyD :Doctor of Psychology. Requires the student to create relevant and helpful research that contributes to the existing body of knowledge or scholarship in an area. At one time, the Psy.D. was assumed to not require significant research activities, focusing more on advanced clinical training. However, most academic institutions offering a Psy.D. today require the completion of a dissertation suitable for publishing. Most students pursuing a Psy.D. have the eventual goal of becoming a licensed psychologist.;PhD :Doctor of Philosophy. A Doctor of Philosophy degree in psychology prepares the student to conduct independent research and to provide professional services (consultation, assessment, diagnosis). However, in order to actually practice psychology and use the title "psychologist", individuals must meet their state requirements and obtain a license to practice psychology.

Professional licenses

;LCSW :Licensed Clinical Social Worker;LSW :Licensed Social Worker;LMSW :Licensed Master Social Worker;LIS :Licensed Independent Social Worker;LCS :Licensed Clinical Social Worker;LICSW :Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker;LMA :Licensed Masters Social Work - Advanced Clinical Practitioner;CSW :Clinical Social Worker;ACSW :Academy of Certified Social Workers;DCSW :Diplomat in Clinical Social Work;BCD :Board Certified DiplomatThese professional licenses are issued by U.S. state or national certification boards (or in the case of the ACSW, a professional organization, the National Association of Social Workers) to graduate degree holders and license them to practice social work and, usually, nonmedical psychotherapy. Such professionals also hold a graduate degree, often an MSW. Mental health providers must usually hold such a certification before receiving reimbursement from insurance companies.

This license requires specific clinical training and experience in working with individuals, couples, and families, often employing systems theories. LMFTs are licensed by the state that they practice in, and possess independent clinical practice privileges for working with children, adolescents, and adults both individually and in conjoint therapy sessions. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy is the professional association that advocates and assists in regulating clinical training and licensing standards for the profession of marriage and family therapy. LMFTs are required to possess either a master's degree or doctorate with a significant amount of study focused on mental health integrated with family sciences research, practice, and scholarship. Because of their heavy training in working with families and relational issues, many LMFTs are also Certified Family Life Educators (CFLE).

;LPC :Licensed Professional Counselor;LCPC :Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (the LPC is a prerequisite for this license)

Licensed Professional Counselors provide services in the areas of social, emotional, educational and career testing and evaluation; assistance coping with life issues that include relationships, conflicts, problem solving, and decision making; developmental concerns; and research. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors apply clinical counseling theory and techniques to prevent and alleviate mental and emotional disorders and Psychopathology and to promote optional mental health, rehabilitation, treatment, testing, assessment and evaluation. LCPCs must have a PhD in Psychology or Master's Degree in Counseling or Human Services, as well as 2 years of verified post-degree supervised clinical experience.

;LPL :Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor;LMHC :Licensed Mental Health CounselorThe Definition of Mental Health Counseling Is "...the provision of professional counseling services involving the application of principles of psycho-therapy, human development, learning theory, group dynamics and the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families and group, for the purpose of threading psychopathology and promoting optimal mental health. The practice of mental health counseling includes, but is not limited to, techniques aimed a prevention of such disorders, consolations to individuals, couples, effective psychotherapeutic treatment modalities."

The Licensed Mental Health CounselorThere are different requirements for each state:The Commonwealth of Massachusetts licenses Mental Health Counselors (LMHC's) who have met the education and training criteria set by the Allied Mental Health and Human Services Board of the Division of Professional Licensure. Licensed Mental Health Counselors are prepared to assist clients to cope with a wide variety of problems and concerns. Mental Health Counselors specialized in many areas such as the emotional problems of anxiety, depression and phobias, child and spouse abuse, family conflict, drug and alcohol abuse, family conflict, drug and alcohol abuse, trauma recovery, crime victimization, bereavement, and job, and career issues.

;CAD :Chemical Dependency Licensure;DAC :Drug and Alcohol Counselor

U.S. state licensing boards grant these licenses to practitioners holding a graduate degree with applicable clinical experience. In many states, a CADC is a certificate available to those who do not have graduate or post-graduate degrees, but have completed specialized coursework in addictions.

Other credentials

;ARNPP :;MHN :Granted to a registered nurse, a master's degree in psychatric-mental health nursing.

;BCD :Board Certified Diplomat. An endorsement by a certifying board that a high level of competence is displayed in a professional subject matter. These can be held by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or counselors.

References

*"Psychology Today". [http://www.psychologytoday.com/pto/credentials.html "The Credentials"] . Retrieved 2006-01-18.