DABFC = Diplomate
of the American Board of Forensic Counseling. [Thanks to Barry
Row, West Virginia.]
DAP = data,
assessment and plan--a format for writing individual progress
notes in a person's file. Similar concept to SOAP.
DAPA =
(1.) Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association, (2.)
Drug Abuse Programs of America, (3.) Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, (4.)
Delaware Academy of Physician Assistants.
DASA =
Division of Alcohol and substance Abuse
[Washington State].
DASIS =
Drug and Alcohol Services Information System,
Office of applied Studies, Substance Abuse and mental Health Services
Administration.
DATOS =
Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies.
DATOS studies capture a longitudinal snapshot of drug abuse patterns and
treatment responses in the U. S. The large number of programs from
comparable metropolitan areas represented in this design sheds light on
changes in treatment populations and service delivery over time.
DAWN = Drug Abuse
Warning Network is a large-scale, ongoing drug abuse data
collection system sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA).
DBSA =
National Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
(formerly known as the The National Depressive and
Manic-Depressive Association--National DMDA). Their mission is to
improve the lives of people living with mood disorders.
DBT =
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a
cognitive therapy technique used for treatment of borderline personality
disorder.
DCAP = Dependent Care Assistance Program
State programs that allow "state government and higher education employees to reduce
their federal income and Social Security taxes while paying for dependent care costs."
DCC™ = Distance Credentialed Counselor, a new certification
for counselors who do distance counseling using telephone counseling,
secure email, chat, videoconferencing or computerized stand-alone software
programs. The DCC is offered by CCE, an affiliate of NBCC (336) 482-2856.
DCDS = Designated Chemical
Dependency Specialist means a person designated by the county alcoholism
and other drug addiction program coordinator designated under RCW 70.96A.310 to
perform the commitment duties described in chapters 70.96A and 70.96B RCW
[Washington State RCW71.05.020 Definitions]
DCH =
Defendant's Case History (acronym used by mental health court)
DCF =
Distance Credential Facilitator
a service delivery credential being offered by CCE and ReadyMinds, a leader
in distance facilitation training. Online training will be done by ReadyMinds
and the DCF credential will be available through CCE. [Thanks to CCE Update,
The National Certified Counselor, Vol. 21, No 3., a publication of the
National Board for Certified Counselors.] "In July 2007, CCE
launched the DCF certification." [CCE Update, The National
Certified Counselor, Fall 2007.]
DCFC =
Diplomate of Certified Forensic Counseling
DCFS = Division of
Children & Family Services
DCMHCA = District
of Columbia Mental Health Counselors Association.
D.Coun. = Doctor
of Counseling degree, modeled after the Psy.D. degree, is
offered by the University of Notre Dame-Australia (UNDA). ["Counseling
in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities," by Shannon Hodges,
Niagara University, Lewiston, NY, in the March 2009, Counseling Today
magazine, an American Counseling Association Publication.]
DCSW =
Diplomate in Clinical Social Work.
The DCSW distinguishes advanced clinical practice
expertise and is the National Association of Social Workers' highest
professional clinical certification, exceeding all state requirements. The
DCSW screens licensed experienced social workers through the application of rigorous criteria.
DD = 1.)
Dissociative Disorders, 2.) Dual Disorder (See also: MICA & COD)
DDD =
Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Social and
Health Services (DSHS) in Washington State.
DDiv = Doctor of
Divinity A university graduate degree. A masters degree
in divinity (MDiv) usually requires three years of university graduate
study beyond a bachelors degree. The DDiv is a professional degree
that usually requires one year of graduate study beyond the MDiv.
DDNOS = Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise
Specified
DDS = 1. Dewey Decimal System,
2. Doctor of Dental Surgery.
DD214,
DD-214
or (DD 214)
= refers to Department of Defense form
number 214, a discharge document given to military personnel at the
time they end active military duty. This form is required to prove
eligibility when applying for
VA benefits.
DESNOS = Disorder of Extreme
Stress Not Otherwise Specified
DFD =
Dogs for the Deaf, Inc.
was founded in 1977 by the late Roy G. Kabat, a long-time Hollywood and
circus animal trainer who raised animals for motion pictures and
television shows including "Dr. Doolittle" and "Born Free." DFD is a 501
(c)(3) non-profit agency with the mission to rescue and professionally
train dogs to assist people and enhance their lives. Voice/TDD: (541)
826-9220. [Thanks to Shanin Legg, MSW Candidate, West Virginia University
]
DHHS
= US Department of Health and Human Services
DICA = Diagnostic
Inventory for Children and Adolescents , a structured interview based
on DSM-III criteria for depression and other psychiatric disorders.
DID =
Dissociative Identity Disorder,
preferred term (over multiple personality disorder).
Dipl.-Psych. =
Diplom Psychologe (male) or Diplom Psychologin (female) "Diplom" is a German
University degree which you obtain after a 4-5 year program and writing a thesis and
passing oral and written exams and doing about 4-5 month internship. "Psychologe"
means "Psychologist" referring to the subject you studied and in which you earned
your "Diplom." In Germany you do not need a doctorate degree to be a
psychologist. [Thanks to Hiltrud Verdier.]
DIS = Disease Intervention
Specialist (health department).
DLCAS
= Distance Learning Center for
Addiction Studies
DMC = diversity management
committee
DMDA = formerly known as the National
Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association, effective
September 2002, is to be known as the Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA).
DMH = Disaster Mental Health,
as in "Red Cross Disaster Mental Health."
DMHCA =
Delaware Mental Health Counselors Association,
a state chapter of the AMHCA. Dormant since winning the battle for
licensure and third-party payment recognition, the organization is
reactivating in 2005 to meet new challenges.
DMHP = Designated
mental health professional means a mental health professional designated
by the county or other authority authorized in rule to perform the duties specified
in this chapter [Washington State RCW 71.05.020 Definitions] (prior to a 2005
revision this position was called a "county designated mental health professional or
CDMHP.)
DNA = DeoxyriboNucleic
Acid [Thanks to Justin Sanders] Molecules that
carry the genetic information necessary for the functioning and
organization of most living cells and controls the inheritance of
characteristics.
DNMS =
Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy, an
ego state therapy developed by Shirley Jean Schmidt, which guides the
client’s own internal resources to meet needs now that were not met in
childhood – one ego state at a time. The process helps each stuck ego
state (child part of self) have the “corrective emotional experience”
needed to become totally unstuck.
DO = (1.)
doctor of osteopathic medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy, a
doctor who studied in an Osteopathic School of Medicine;
Osteopathy is an approach to healthcare that emphasizes the role of the
musculoskeletal system in health and disease. [wikipedia.org].
(2.) Detention Officers (In juvenile corrections
facilities.)
D/O = 1. Disorder 2. Died of 3.
Daughter of.
DOC = 1. Department of
Corrections, 2. drug of choice the preferred drug of two or
more (1.) used by an addict, or (2.) used by doctors in a course of
treatment for a particular condition or disease.
DORS = Department of
Rehabilitation Services
DOSA
= Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative
[Washington State]
DP = deferred
prosecution. This is a situation where an accused person
enters into a contract with the court to complete a course of treatment in
return for not being prosecuted, with the understanding that failure to
comply will result in conviction and the sentence being carried out.
DPSEA
= Disabled Public Service Employee's Association
DRA =
Dual Recovery Anonymous is an
independent, twelve step, self-help organization for people with a dual
diagnosis.
DSCA = Division of State and
Community Assistance, working with states to
fund treatment programs. (U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center
for Substance Abuse Treatment)
DSH = deliberate
self-harm: "self-harm, self-mutilation, self-inflicted violence (SIV),
self-cutting, parasuicide, and self-abuse....an expression of acute psychological
distress. It is an act done to oneself, by oneself, with the intention of helping
oneself rather than killing oneself. Paradoxically, damage is done to the body in an
attempt to preserve the integrity of the mind." [Thanks to
SIARI--the Self Injury and Related Issues
website in UK.]
DSHS =
Department of Social and Health Services.
DSI =
Division of Services Improvement, National Treatment Outcomes
Monitoring System, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, SAMHSA.
DSM = Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual (see specific editions, below).
DSM–IV = The Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, is
used around the world and especially in the United States, to precisely
and methodically list mental disorders and provide the diagnostic
criteria for each of them.
DSM-IV-TR = Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision
(the most current edition of the DSM-IV).
DSM–PC = Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual for Primary Care.
DSRS =
Drug Services Research Survey, Office of applied Studies,
Substance Abuse and mental Health Services Administration.
DSW = a Doctorate in
Social Work [Thanks to Catherine Weeda]
DTR = "Dance Therapist
Registered." This credential requires a Master's degree from an
approved dance therapy graduate program or a Master's in psychology or
counseling and alternate route dance therapy training and additional
credential application requirements. These professionals are qualified to
provide mental health treatment in clinical settings. Also, some DTR's
work in educational or other service settings. (See also: ADTR and CMA.)
DTRL = a person registered as
a dance therapist who is granted a license to practice psychotherapy.
[Wisconsin]
DUI =
driving under the influence
(drunk driver). See also, DWI.
DV =
domestic violence
DWI = driving while
intoxicated (drunk driver). See also, DUI.
Dx =
diagnosis
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EA = Employee
Assistance. The EA definition, as approved by the EAPA
Board of Directors in July 2003: "Employee Assistance is the work
organization's resource that utilizes specific core technologies to
enhance employee and workplace effectiveness through prevention,
identification, and resolution of personal and productivity issues." See
also: EAP.
EAA =
Eating
Addictions Anonymous, a twelve-step group for all who are
interested in healing from eating and body image disorders of all forms.
Members make an absolute commitment to refrain from using food as a drug,
and from other related behaviors.
EACC =
Employee Assistance Certification Commission,
the governing body responsible for upholding the professional standards
and policies for the Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP)
credential.
EAGALA =
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association
"Given the choice, horses would much rather be left alone to eat....not
much different than the average human adolescent. If you can teach
people how to communicate with horses, how to gain their cooperation,
chances are they will be better at communicating with other humans and
have a better understanding of themselves." [Judy Stanger Houck in
"Psycho horses run amuck in Spokane" in February 2005 Insights,
the newsletter of the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association]
EAP = (1. An
Employee Assistance Program provides counseling and referral to
community resources to employees with problems that are not job related but may
affect job performance, such as addictions. (2. Employee Assistance Professional [see
CEAP] (3. Equine Assisted
Psychotherapy, a new therapy approach being promoted by the Equine
Assisted Growth and Learning Association.
EAPA = Employee Assistance Professionals
Association, (1). Employee Assistance Professionals
Association, Inc. 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 500 Arlington, Virginia
22201-3062 and (2.) EAPA,
United Kingdom.
EASNA =
Employee Assistance Society of North America , 230 E Ohio St, Suite 400,
Chicago, Illinois 60611-3265, USA, is an association for Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) professionals and organizations.
EATA =
Evergreen Art Therapy Association
an affiliate chapter of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), with
jurisdiction over the state of Washington.
It is a 501(3)(c) non-profit corporation, organized under the laws of Washington State.
EB-ACA =
European Branch of the American
Counseling Association
EC =
Executive Committee
ECCP = Examination
of Clinical Counseling Practice , a National
Board for Certified Counselors test required achieve the specialty
certification of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor.
ECFMG =
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.
ECPG = The
Evergreen State Council on Problem Gambling is a 501(3)(c) charity, founded in 1981 to serve as the advocate for
programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families in Washington State. For Problem Gamblers and their families,
calling the Helpline, 1-800-547-6133, is often the first step on the road to recovery.
ED =
Emergency Department (i.e., hospital ER)
EDA =
Eating Disorders Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who
share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may
solve their common problems and help others to recover from their eating disorders.
EdD =
Doctor of Education --refers to graduation from a School of Education,
the actual training varies greatly according to the area of concentration of
studies: administration, counseling and guidance, chemical dependency, or general
counselor training to provide counseling services in a variety of settings. [Thanks
to Kathleen O'Connor, Ed.D.]
EEOC =
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
EFT =
Emotionally Focused Therapy, a short term (8-20 sessions), structured
approach to couples therapy formulated in the early 80's by Sue Johnson and Les
Greenberg. It should not be used with couples when there is ongoing family violence.
EFT-ADV =
Emotional Freedom Technique--Advanced Practitioner.
[Webmaster's note: I would not consider this to be a professional
credential for a mental health or health practitioner for several
reasons. On their website, Gary Craig, listed as the EFT Founder is
quoted saying, "...Anyone can use EFT and you don't need specialized
schooling for it. In most cases, common sense will do. No meds or
surgeries involved either. Further, we've made it easily affordable and
you can get started for free." Their online newsletter announcement
explains how their 40 hours of DVD training can be used to treat a great
variety of "Serious Diseases," including "...Diabetes, Lou Gehrig's
Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple
Sclerosis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Keratakonis, Premature Birth,
Parkinson's Disease, Neurogenic Bladder, Cystic Fibrosis, Breast
Cancer..." (etc.) This should be considered to be of questionable value
in the treatment of any medical condition.]
EHD =
Electronic Home Detention
EHM = Electronic
Home Monitoring, an alternative to
incarceration.
EI =
Emotional Intelligence
EIA =
enzyme immuno assay,
a screening test for viruses such as hepatitis C. If positive, a confirmatory test is required.
EIN = An Employer Identification Number
EIN), also known as a federal tax identification number, is used
to identify tax reports to the IRS. This can be used on business claim
forms, etc. in leu of the business person's social security number.
E-IQ or EIQ =
Emotional Intelligence Quotient
EJGI =
Electronic Journal of Gambling Issues
ELISAD =
European association of Libraries
and Information Services on Alcohol and other Drugs.
EMACAPAP =
Eastern Mediterranean Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions
EMDR =
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This is a
treatment method often used with victims of trauma or abuse.
Counselors using EMDR should have training certification.
EMDRIA =
EMDR International Association
is a membership organization of mental health professionals
dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and integrity in Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). [Thanks to Linda Stieler, RCC, Canada.]
EMI = Eye Movement
Integration (found acronym on a Canadian website.) See EMDR, above.
EMR =
Electronic Medical Records.
EMS =
Emergency Medical Services
EMT =
Emergency Medical Technician
EOP =
Equal Opportunity Programs (see also EEOC.)
EPA =
US Environmental Protection Agency
EPPP =
Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
a test that is administered as part of the licensing
process for Psychologists in Washington and several other states.
EQ = Emotional Quotient
(see also EIQ and EI, above.)
ER =
emergency room (hospital)
ERCs
= Education and Research Centers
ERIC =
Educational Resources Information Center
ERISA = The Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
(federal law safeguarding retirement benefits)
ESA = Economic
Services Administration
ESACA =
Eastern and Southern Africa Counselling Association
was formed in 1998 and registered in Kenya as an NGO. It is being
hosted by KAPC until it has its own administrative personnel. The first
Congress of ESACA was scheduled to be held in Swaziland in 1999. A
committee with representives from Swaziland, Uganda, Seychelles, Ethiopia,
Kenya and Zambia were conducting a survey of counselling activities in the
region. (see also: GCMH.)
ESG =
Educational Support Group
ESSCP =
Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program
A small program of Department of Education grants has played a critical
role in expanding students' access to counseling services. [Counseling
Today, August 2004, an ACA publication.]
ET = ( 1.)
elapsed time (2.) early termination
ETR =
exception to rule (as in an "ETR request.")
ETOH = Ethyl
Alcohol, made from grains or fruit and found in
alcoholic beverages.
Continue to
"F" acronyms >>
If you would like to suggest an
additional counseling-related acronym,
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