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Dictionary of Initials, Acronyms, and Abbreviations Used by Counselors and Social Workers©

Click on the first letter of the counselor acronyms, initials and abbreviation below:

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  For additional acronym definitions: Check other Acronym Dictionaries
US Postal Service: State Initials or Abbreviations

-A-    
 [A to Ad, below.[     [Ae to Az, next page.]

AAA = Abdominal aortic aneurysm

AAAC = The Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission was created by the 1999 Washington State Legislature to provide oversight of the state’s K-12 educational accountability system. The nine-member commission includes a teacher, a principal, a school district superintendent, an attorney, an education researcher, three individuals with business backgrounds, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Old Capitol Building, PO Box 47220, Olympia, WA 98504-7220.

AAADD = Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder, a fictitious acronym taken from an email joke that was widely circulated in 2006-07. A.A.A.D.D. is supposed manifested by the person who goes through the day being visually distracted by environmental stimuli.  At the end of the day the person with AAADD has left behind a trail of started but unfinished projects.  [This webmaster suffers from EOAAADD or early onset age-activated attention deficit disorder.]

AAB = American Academy of Bereavement, a non-profit organization founded in 1993, is a national association devoted to the education, preparation and advancement of bereavement specialists.

AABT = Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy

AAC = Association for Assessment in Counseling, a division of the American Counseling Association

AACAP = American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 

AACC = American Association of Christian Counselors [Thanks to Skosh Jacobsen, MA]

AACTE = American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

AADA = Association for Adult Development and Aging, a division of the American Counseling Association.

AAETS = the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.

AAFGC = African Association for Guidance and Counselling [The National Certified Counselor, NBCC, Page 3, Volume 20 Number 2, Winter 2004]

AAFP = American Academy of Family Physicians [Their site is an excellent source of handouts about a variety of medical conditions.]

AAFWW = AA Friends World Wide

AAG = Assistant Attorney General

AAGC = (1.)  American Academy of Grief Counseling  (2.) African Association for Guidance and Counselling

AAGT = Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy 

AAHCPAD = American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders [Thanks to Kathy Kelley, The Meadows Institute.]

AAHPERD = American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

AAIP = The Association of American Indian Physicians

AAMC = Association of American Medical Colleges

AAMFT = American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, a professional association.

AAMT = The American Association for Music Therapy, Inc. joined with the National Association for Music Therapy to form a new unified organization, the American Music Therapy Association in 1998.

AANP = American Association of Naturopathic Physicians  In addition to the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, naturopathic education includes therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology and minor surgery.

AAP = (1.) American Academy of Pediatrics, (2.) Association for the Advancement of Psychology  (3.) founded in 1978 as the "Association of Alcoholism Programs of Washington State," it's now the Association of Alcoholism & Addiction Programs of Washington State, but they have never changed the acronym, or the legal name. [ Thanks to Sarajane Siegfriedt.]  (4.) Association for Addiction Professionals.

AAPC = American Association of Pastoral Counselors

AAPCHO = Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations is a national association representing community health organizations concerned with the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders within the United States, its territories and freely associated states, primarily through its member community health clinics.

AAPD = American Association of People with Disabilities is the largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities.

AAPPN = The Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses is Washington state's only organization committed specifically to the practice of advanced psychiatric nurse practitioners.

AAPSP = American Association of Professional Sociological Practitioners  

AAPT = American Association of Physics Teachers

AAS = American Association of Suicidology

AASA = American Association of School Administrators

AASCB = American Association of State Counseling Boards [thanks to Midge Williams, MA, LMHC, AMHCA President.]  In Spring 2005, the AASCB will launch its National Credential Registry to increase licensure portability--the ability to move more easily between states with a valid counseling license. Counselors will need to register and submit credentialing materials. [Thanks to Midge Williams, "Licensure Portability Nears Enactment," The Advocate (a publication of the AMHCA), April 2005.]

AASCIPSW = American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers promotes excellence in meeting the behavioral, emotional and psychosocial needs of individuals with spinal cord injury.  In 2005, opened membership to Licensed Professional Counselors and Certified Rehabilitation Counselors who work with persons with spinal cord injuries. (We hope they consider changing the organization's name in 2006, to be more open and inclusive.)

AASECT = American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists

AASLB = American Association of State Licensure Boards

AASM = American Academy of Sleep Medicine

AASSWB = American Association of State Social Work Boards 

AASWB = American Association of Social Work Boards, may be the same as AASSWB, above.  See also: ASWB, below.

AATA = American Art Therapy Association

AATH  = Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, formerly known as: American Association for Therapeutic Humor

AATOD = American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence

AAUW = American Association of University Women, promoting education and equity for women and girls.

AB =  In Latin, a Bachelor of Arts degree is Baccalaureus Artium; however, an alternate form is Artium Baccalaureus.

ABCC = Australian Board of Certified Counsellors

ABE or ABECSW= American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work, 21 Merchants Row, Boston, Massachusetts 02109-2005. Telephone: 1-800-694-5285. They offer national certification of clinical social workers (see BCD, below).  [Thanks to Roberta Myers, Bellevue, Washington].

ABEPSGP = American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy, P.O. Box 15572 Washington, D.C. 20003-0572. Telephone: (202) 483-0514. [Thanks to Peter Ettel, MA, LMHC--Seattle]

ABFC = American Board of Forensic Counseling

ABGC = American Board of Genetic Counseling prepares and administers examinations to certify individuals who provide services in the medical genetics specialty of genetic counseling, and accredits training programs in the field of genetic counseling. [Thanks to Robin L. Bennett, MS, CGC, Past-president I, National Society of Genetic Counselors, University of Washington Medical Center]

ABH = American Board of Hypnotherapy

ABHM = The Association of Behavioral Healthcare Management, the individual membership section of the NCCBH, represents behavioral healthcare executives.

ABHW = Association of Behavioral Health and Wellness-- formerly the American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association (AMBHA)--is an association of the nation's behavioral health and wellness companies.

ABN = advanced beneficiary notice. (i.e.: a notice placed on the back of a medical form advising that Medicare may not pay for certain tests and that the patient will be responsible for payment.)

ABP = American Board of Psychotherapy  [Thanks to Dr Reuben Gross, New Jersey. I contacted him as one of several persons who listed a Diplomate from the ABP.]   [10/4/05 Michael B. Schwartz, MSW, PhD, Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry (Psychotherapy) at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine writes, "Good luck. It has been many years since I have heard from them and I assume that they are out of business. Please let me know if you are successful." 4/18/06 Dr. Reuben Gross agrees and writes, "I got no response when I wrote to their last known address."] 

My concern about those listing such a credential is (1.) there is no way for a potential client to verify that such an organization ever existed or that they ever issued a certificate to the person claiming it. (2.) that, at this point, anyone could list the honor without fear of challenge. This means people who use it in the future are more likely to be charlatans, and (3.) The Diplomate credential from ABP was issued with an expiration date. The most recent expiration date I have found so far is 1993. So it is not only a past honor, but an expired one.  I have been unable to locate a website, an address or similar information about the ABP--Webmaster.

ABPP = American Board of Professional Psychology
Toll-free: 1-800-255-7792  [Thanks to Dr Reuben Gross, New Jersey.]

ABS = 1.) The American Board of Sexology, 2431 Aloma Avenue, Suite 277, Winter Park FL 32792, (407) 645-1641. (2.) Applied Behavioral Science or ABS is sometimes mistakenly used as professional initials or credentials (for example: John Smith, MA, ABS) by graduates of Bastyr University's LIOS Leadership Institute of Seattle--a practice which this counselor/webmaster believes is both unethical and unprofessional.  Certain graduates have persisted in this practice despite Bastyr LIOS repeated requests that they discontinue the practice.  (see also, MA, ABS.)  [Return to unethical, unprofessional counselor - therapist page.]  (3.) other meanings of ABS.

ABVE = American Board of Vocation Experts, 3540 Soquel Avenue, Suite A, Santa Cruz, California 95062. Telephone: (831) 464-4890, is an organization that grants board certification, specifically for Vocational Experts, by examination, credentials, professional contribution, and work product peer review, coupled with a minimum number of years experience in practical forensic work in the private and/or public sectors.

ABVE-D = Diplomate of the American Board of Vocational Experts.

ACA = (1.) American Correctional Association (2.) American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22304, is a national professional association for counselors of all types.  Phone: (800) 347-6647, TDD: (703) 823-6862. (3.) Australian Counselling Association

ACADC = Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors Institute, an educational program with a curriculum appreoved by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs and a member of the Apostolic Council of Education Accountability.

ACAIT = American Counseling Association Insurance Trust provides insurance products and service to ACA members and their families.

ACAM = American Counseling Association of Missouri.  "Founded as the Missouri Personnel and Guidance Association (MPGA) in 1969, and after several intermediate name changes, in 1996 became the American Counseling Association of Missouri, emphasizing its connection with ACA."

ACA-PRN = American Counseling Association--Practice Research Network

ACB = American Council of the Blind

ACC = 1. Association Canadienne de Counseling, [French name for the English language CCA.] 2. Associate Certified Coach [ICF Credentialing Program]  3. Association for Creativity in Counseling a division of the American Counseling Association added 2004.

ACCA = American College Counseling Association, a division of the American Counseling Association.

ACCFC = American College of Certified Forensic Counselors is not a college but rather the Certification Commission of the National Association of Forensic Counselors (NAFC).  See also: Work as a Forensic Psychologist

ACCME® = Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education® 

ACADC = Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

ACE = an organization consisting of education providers (facilities or companies)  that are members in the Association of Social Work Board's Approved Continuing Education program.

ACEG = Association for Counselors and Educators in Government, a division of the American Counseling Association.

ACEP = 1. [NBCC] Approved Continuing Education Provider.  NCCs are allowed to take non-approved continuing education hours for recertification purposes, many prefer to attend or purchase programs that carry NBCC approval.  2.  Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology.

ACEI = Association for Childhood Education International

ACEP = Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology

ACES = The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, a division of the American Counseling Association.

ACGME = Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

ACHP = Academy of Correctional Health Professionals

ACHSA = American Correctional Health Services Association, an affiliate of the American Correctional Association.

ACNP = American College of Nurse Practitioners

ACP = Address Confidentiality Program [Secretary of State, Washington State] provides crime victims and victims of domestic violence with confidential voter registration so that a perpetrator or stalker can not track them down using voter registration records.  All ACP participants must be referred to the program by a local domestic violence or sexual assault advocate who can help the victim develop a comprehensive safety plan.

ACPE = Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. [Thanks to Rabbi Robert Tabak, PhD, Staff Chaplain, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.]

ACS = Approved Clinical Supervisor, a certification of the CCE (the Center for Credentialing & Education, a corporate affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors.)

ACSW = Academy of Certified Social Workers. In 1960, the National Association of Social Workers established the ACSW to provide certification of competence for private practice by individual social workers. [Thanks to Heidi Burke, Bellevue, Washington.]

ACT = Academy for Coach Training

ACTP = Accredited Coach Training Program, ICF Credentialing Program

ACTFL = American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

ACW = Association for Counselling at Work, a division of the BACP that promotes and supports the professional practice of counselling and counselling skills in the workplace in the United Kingdom.

AD = (1.) Alzheimer's Disease  (2.) Addictive Disorder, proposed as a new diagnosis (not currently an approved DSM IV diagnosis)-- for problem behaviors, often called process addictions and including sex, eating, working, spending or shopping, gambling, the Internet, exercising, television, and video games--by Bryce Hagedorn, chair of the Committee on Process Addictions for the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors.. 

ADAA = Anxiety Disorders Association of America

ADAI = Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute of the University of Washington

ADAM = Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program

ADARA = acronym for the former " American Deafness And Rehabilitation Association" now known as "Professionals Networking for Excellence in Service Delivery with Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing."

ADATSA = the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Act which is a legislative enactment providing state-financed treatment and support to chemically dependent indigent persons in Washington State. (It's not the same, but see also: Drug Court)

ADCA = Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia

ADD = attention deficit disorder--a disorder mainly present in children and adolescents, characterized by learning and behavior problems and inability to pay attention.  [see ADHD, below.]

ADEC = Association for Death Education and Counseling

ADHD or AD/HD = attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD is the term used by the NIMH for people diagnosed with a set of symptoms including inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity, in combination or separately.  While previously ADD and ADHD were used to separate those with hyperactivity and those without, ADHD is now used to describe both types.

ADIN = Australian Drug Information Network

A/DIS or ADIS = Alcohol and Other Drug Information School

ADL (ADLs) = activities of daily living

ADP = average daily population (as in a unit or facility)

ADRA = Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority, the branch of the Louisiana Department of Healthy and Hospitals that oversees addiction counselors.  See also: CAC LAC & LAC.

ADSS = Alcohol and Drug Services Study, Office of applied Studies, Substance Abuse and mental Health Services Administration.

ADTA = American Dance Therapy Association was founded in 1966. ADTA works to establish and maintain high standards of professional education and competence in the field of dance/movement therapy.  [Thanks to Kirsten Etnoyer, Seattle.]

ADTR = (1.) Academy of Dance Therapists Registered is a senior-level clinician credential for experienced, evaluated and approved DTR's, is officiated by the American Dance Therapy Association, or (2.) a member of the Academy of Dance Therapist Registered.   (See also: DTR and CMA.)

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This document is Copyright © 1999 and 2003 Floyd Else, MA, and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part without the prior written permission from the author. All rights reserved.

Contributors names appear after certain definitions to indicate their contribution to this dictionary of initials and abbreviations.

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While there are thousands of acronyms in current use, it is my purpose to limit the counselor acronyms on these pages to those directly related to counseling.  These are acronyms noted in professional therapy journals, used in professional psychotherapy trainings, used in mental health diagnosis, counselor charting, and other common sources. 

Those who can not find the acronym they are looking for should look for my hyperlinks to "other acronym dictionaries."  For our associates in the United Kingdom (and the rest of the English-speaking world), I have included counsellor acronyms common in professional counselling.

Check other acronym dictionaries

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