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A Dictionary of Initials, Acronyms and Abbreviations used by Counselors©
Click on the first letter of the initials/abbreviation below:
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
Check other Acronym Dictionaries
-I-
IAAOC = International Association of Addiction and Offender Counselors, a division of the American Counseling Association.
IABMCP = International Academy of Behavioral Medicine Counseling and Psychotherapy, Inc. (2007 ?) awards Certificates of Diplomate Status in Behavioral Medicine, Counseling, Psychotherapy and Chemical Dependency Counseling to those qualified professionals who voluntarily apply for them. IABMCP appears to be an offshoot of The Masterson Institute For Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in New York City. The Masterson Institute apparently offers a three year post graduate training. Applicants must be degree holder from accredited educational institutions but there is no indication that the Masterson training program is itself accredited.
IABNSH = International Academy on Brain and Nervous System Health
IAC = 1. Imunization Action Coalition, 2. International Association for Counselling
IACP = Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
IACAPAP = International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions
IACCP = International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology
IAEAPE = International Association of Employee Assistance Programs in Education
IAEDP = the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals
IAEVG = International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance
IAIR = International Academy for Intercultural Research
IAJVS = International Association of Jewish Vocational Services
IALM = International Academy of Legal Medicine, formerly known as the "International Academy of Legal and Social Medicine."
IALMH = International Academy of Law and Mental Health, académie internationale de droit et de santé.
IAMFC = The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors is a division of the American Counseling Association.
IAPRS = International Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation Systems
IARP = International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (formerly NARPPS, National Association of Rehabilitation Professionals in the Private Sector).
IARRT = International Association for Regression Research & Therapies (Originally founded as APRT - Association for Past-Life Research and Therapies.)
IASR = International Academy for Suicide Research
IACA = International Association of Counselors & Therapists
IBRT = International Board for Regression Therapy
ICA = 1. Idaho Counseling Association, 2. Illinois Counseling Association.
IC3 = Internet Crime Complaint Center is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Invesitgation and the National While Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Formerly (prior to 2006) called the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC).
ICDL = International Career Development Library The ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services was closed by the U.S. Department of Education as of Dec. 19, 2003. If you are looking for the new ERIC contractor or the ERIC database, please go to http://www.eric.ed.gov.
ICF = International Coach Federation, an organization that regulates and provides four levels of coach certification (life coach or personal coaching).
ICISF = International Critical Incident Stress Foundation sponsors training in CISM.
ICR = International Counsellor-in-Residence. (seen being used as a job title by NBCC-I).
ICRC or IC&RC = International Certification Reciprocity Consortium [Thanks to Nelson Fernandini, Florida.]
ICSA = The International Cultic Studies Association
ICASSI = International Committee of Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes has offered summer courses in various parts of the world since 1967. Rudolf Dreikurs created ICASSI to spread the teachings of Adler to people around the world, not only as a psychological method of treatment, but as a philosophy of life. ICASSI offers a broad range of courses for educators, parents, psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and others seeking professional and personal development. Courses are combined with opportunities for relaxation, fun, and friendship. In 2008 the dates are July 13th through 25th at a modern university and hotel complex close to the old-world city center of Gyor, Hungary.
IDEA = Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, first passed by Congress in 1975, authorized the federal government to reimburse states for up to 40 percent of the average per-pupil cost of education every child with a disability, but appropriations have never come close to meeting that level. [Thanks to Counseling Today, July 2004, an ACA publication.]
IDU = injection drug user (usually referring to illegal drug use). Plural, IDUs.
IED = intermittent explosive disorder. "Road rage, temper outbursts that involve throwing or breaking objects and even spousal abuse can sometimes be attributed to the disorder, though not everyone who does those things is afflicted....(IED) involves multiple outburst that are way out of proportion to the situation. These angry outburst often include threats or aggressive actions and property damage...average age of onset was 14....Most sufferers in the study had other emotional disorders or drug or alcohol problems and had gotten treatment for them, but only 28 percent had ever received treatment for anger." [Reported by Lindsey Tanner, The Associated Press, 6/6/06.]
IEP = Individualized Education Program [Thanks to John MacDonald, Poulsbo, WA]
IFCC = Internet Fraud Complaint Center is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) to address fraud committed over the Internet. Name changed in 2006 to Internet Crime Complaint Center (see: IC3.)
IFS = Internal Family Systems "views a person as containing an ecology of relatively discrete minds each of which has valuable qualities and each of which is designed to, and wants to play, a valuable role within. These parts are forced out of their valuable roles, however, by life experiences that can reorganize the system in unhealthy ways." [Thanks to Richard C. Schwartz, PhD.]
IFSW = International Federation of Social Workers
IFTA = International Family Therapy Association
II = intensive inpatient treatment.
IJAC = International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling
ILA = The International Leadership Association is a global network for those with an interest in leadership.
ILAE = International League Against Epilepsy
IMH = (1.) Integrated Mental Health (2). IMH is used for a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in Florida on forms which contain fields too small to write out the full title, and is used in the State of Florida listing for a registered mental health counselor intern registration number, as in "My registration number is IMH #555." [Our thanks to Jason Eric Ross, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, NYS Certified School Psychologist, Florida.]. (See explanation of IMHC, below.)
IMHC = IS NOT an acceptable legal professional acronym for an "Intern Mental Health Counselor," as under Florida State law [Chapter 491.0149, F.S., paragraph (2)(b)] "...a registered mental health counselor intern shall include the words 'registered mental health counselor intern' on all promotional materials, including cards, brochures, stationery, advertisements, and signs, naming the registered intern.' (While acronyms are listed in earlier paragraphs for various licensed counselors, there is no mention of a acronym that can be substituted for this wording.) [Our thanks to Dee Ramer, Regulatory Supervisor, Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, Tallahassee, FL. for research assistance.] (See IMH, above.)
IMHCA = (1) the Idaho Mental Health Counselors Association, (2) Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association or (3) Indiana Mental Health Counselors Association, or (4) Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association.
IMHO/GHMHS = Inventory of Mental Health Organizations and General Hospital Mental Health Services [Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration].
INCASE = International Coalition for Addiction Studies Education
INS = Immigration and Naturalization Service (now the US Citizenship and Immigration Services)
IOM = Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences.
IP = (1) Information for Practice has a monthly archive that is designed to help social service professionals throughout the world maintain an awareness of news and emerging scholarship regarding the profession. [Info thanks to Dr. Gary Holden, NYU.] (2) inpatient (as in inpatient treatment) or intensive inpatient chemical dependency treatment.
IPAT = Institute for Personality and Ability Testing, Inc. is a leading provider of strategic talent management services with proprietary rights to the 16PF® Questionnaire. 2006 announced strategic partnership with the NBCC. [The National Certified Counselor, Vol 22, No 3, Fall 2006.]
IRA = (1) International Reading Association or (2) individual retirement account.
IRCT = International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims is an independent, international health professional organization, based in Denmark, that works in collaboration with a global network of nearly 200 rehabilitation centers and programs worldwide that promote and support the rehabilitation of torture victims and works for the prevention of torture worldwide.
IREFREA = European Institute of Research on the Risk Factors in Infancy and Adolescence. IREFREA was created in 1988 in Lyon (France). Today it is a European network with 7 permanent offices and different research partners located in 13 European countries; it develops professional partnerships with European experts in the field of youth hardships, drug prevention and drug demand reduction.
IRTAC = International Round Table for the Advancement of Counselling, now incorporated as the International Association for Counselling [UK].
ISA = Incest Survivors Anonymous . For local meetings, look for a telephone listing for Incest Survivors Anonymous in the business section of the white pages of your local telephone book. (also see: SIA)
ISACS, Inc = Institute for the Scientific Advancement of Counseling Services, a non-profit organization that assists counseling agencies to embrace valid outcomes research as part of their mission.
I-SATS = Inventory of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, a master list of organized of substance abuse treatment programs known to SAMHSA.
ISED = Institute for Social and Economic DevelopmentThe Institute for Social and Economic Development is a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of services to assist disenfranchised individuals to enter the economic mainstream and create solid economic futures for themselves and others. ISED accomplishes this by providing supportive and direct services to low-income individuals and the agencies which serve them.
ISER = Internet Special Education Resources is a nationwide directory of professionals who serve the learning disabilities and special education communities.
ISH = the Inner Self Helper, a concept developed by Ralph B. Allison, MD, who explains the inner Self Helpers, tells how they operate, and how their protective energy can be tapped in an alliance beneficial to the patient in his book, "Minds in Many Pieces
Revealing the Spiritual Side of Multiple Personality Disorder," by Ralph B. Allison, M.D. and Ted Schwarz.ISIP = The Idaho Society of Individual Psychology is an non-profit organization of people in Idaho interested in furthering the concepts of Individual Psychology, an approach of understanding human behavior and working with individuals based largely on the teachings of Alfred Adler.
ISSD = International Society for the Study of Dissociation
ISTE = International Society for Technology in Education
IT = Integrated treatment (mental health and substance abuse treatment) delivered concurrently by the same team or group of clinicians within the same program.
ITAA = International Transactional Analysis Association
ITAD = Institute for Trauma & Addictive Disorders. This is one of The Meadows programs.
ITEA = International Technology Education Association
ITIN = US Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
-J-
JACL = Japanese American Citizens League is the nation's oldest and largest Asian Pacific American civil rights organizations with members in twenty-three states.
JAGCE = Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors in Education.
JAMA = Journal of the American Medical Association
JAOC = Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling, a publication.of the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors.
JBRF = The Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation
JCAHO = Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
JCC = Journal of College Counseling
JCD = Journal of Counseling & Development , quarterly journal of the American Counseling Association.
JCTP = "The Joint Committee on Testing Practices, a unique collaboration of seven mental health and education organizations that worked to improve the use of tests in assessment and appraisal, has disbanded after 22 years." Due to ACA funding cuts and resulting loss of staff the organization to a vote to dissolve the committee effective December 31, 2007. [Thanks to Counseling Today, February 2008, a publication of the American Counseling Association.]
JD = Doctor of Jurisprudence, a university law degree. (Counselors come from all kinds of degree backgrounds. The variety in training preparation and background experience can provide unique strengths for specific types of counseling situations.)
JEMS = Journal of Emergency Medical Services, [The Online Emergency Services Resource.
JIS = judicial information system, refers to records maintained by the courts
JPCA = Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association
JPT = Journal of Poetry Therapy
JRS = Judicial Retirement System
JSGW = Journal for Specialists in Group Work
-K-
KAPC = Kenya Association of Professional Counsellors
KCA = Kentucky Counseling Association
KBG = Knowledge-Based Governance, developed by Glen Tecker, advocates periodic examination of an organization's governance structure to determine whether current approach fits the needs of the membership and promotes forward movement. [ ACA, Counseling Today, March 2003]
KMHCA = Kentucky Mental Mental Health Counselors Association.
K-SADS-P = The Kiddie Schedule for Affective disorders and Schizophrenia
Looking for initials that aren't here? Contact Us.
-L-
LABMCP = International Academy of Behavioral Medicine, Counseling and Psychotherapy
LAC, LAc or L.Ac. = Licensed Acupuncturist.
[or]
LAC = 1. Licensed Associate Counselor, [Formerly Certified Associate Counselors become LACs under Arizona licensure law 2003-04], 2. Licensed Addiction Counselor, (Louisiana 2005)
LADAC = Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, a New Mexico license [Thanks Jennifer Cady].
LADC = Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (Nebraska)
LASW = Licensed Advanced Social Worker is for social workers who practice in schools, hospitals, agencies, etc. Also see: LICSW. [Washington State licensure information from Gayle Clelland.] "Advanced social work" means the application of social work theory and methods including emotional and bio-psycho-social assessment, psychotherapy under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker, case management, consultation, advocacy, counseling, and community organization. [Thanks to Betty Moe, DOH]
LBLT = Life-Between-Lives Therapist, a certification by the National Association of Transpersonal Hypnotherapists. Life-between-lives therapy was founded by Michael Newton, PhD, who "is considered a pioneer in uncovering the mysteries about life after death through the use of Spiritual Regression." (Quote from "journeybetweenlives" website.)
LCA = Louisiana Counseling Association
LCAT = Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, by the State of New York [Thanks to Bryan Hunter, Professor and Director of Music Therapy at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. Note: Bryan Hunter was awarded the very first license as a Creative Arts Therapist by the State of New York in 2005.]
LCC = unauthorized acronym for Licensed Christian Counselor. According to the National Christian Counselor's Association, "...some states have a counselor category called "Licensed Professional Counselor." These states prohibit NCCA graduates from using the initials "LPC." Their title must be spelled out, i.e., "NCCA Licensed Pastoral Counselor" or "NCCA Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor." This ensures that the NCCA counselor is operating within legal and ethical standards, and maintaining the public's trust and confidence. " [Thanks to Laurie S. Mendez, LCPC]
LCCA = Louisiana College Counseling Association
LCCR = Leadership Conference on Civil Rights consists of more than 180 national organization, representing persons of color, women, children, labor unions, individuals with disabilities, older Americans, major religious groups, gays and lesbians and civil liberties and human rights groups.
LCDC = Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
LCMHC = Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor [Vermont]
LCPC = Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (States of Maryland, Montana, Idaho, Kansas and Nevada) In Idaho, an LPC must complete additional hours of supervised experience and show proficiency in diagnostic evaluation before being granted the LCPC. Illinois and Kansas also have a two-tiered credential (LPC and LCPC)."
LCPCM = Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland
LCSW = 1. Licensed Clinical Social Worker, California, Florida. [Thanks to Nelson Fernandini.] 2. Licensed Certified Social Worker (in the state of Maryland this requires a Master’s in Social Work plus passing the Advanced Examination). See also: LSWA, LGSW, LCSW-C.
LCSW-C = Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (in the state of Maryland this requires a Master’s in Social Work and passing the Clinical Examination. The highest of the four levels of licensure in Maryland, an individual must be a LCSW-C to practice clinical social work.). See also: LSWA, LGSW, LCSW.
LD = Licensed Dietitian. Used by the State of Alaska for qualified Registered Dietitians. It is the equivalent of CD, or Certified Dietitian in the State of Washington. [Thanks to Charlene Koutchak, Alaska.]
LEOFF = Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System
LEP = Licensed Educational Psychologist, California.
LGBT = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. See also: GLBT, GLBTQ.
LGSW = Licensed Graduate Social Worker [(in the state of Maryland this requires a Master’s in Social Work plus passing the Intermediate Examination). See also: LSWA, LCSW, LCSW-C.
LICDC = Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board)
LICSW = Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. These are masters-level clinical social workers with advanced experience who have met state requirements for licensure. [Thanks to Brigitte Moeller, LICSW, Cambridge, MA.] Also see: LASW.
LLB = Bachelor of Laws
LLM = Master of Laws
LLP = (1) Limited Liability Partnership
(2) Limited License Psychologist [thanks to Lauren Matusko].LMFT = Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. [thanks to Nelson Fernandini, Florida]
LMHC = Licensed Mental Health Counselor. [thanks to Nelson Fernandini, Florida]
LMHCA = Louisiana Mental Health Counselors Association.
LMHP = Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (Nebraska)
LMP = Licensed Massage Practitioner [Thanks to Del Hunter Morrill, Tacoma]
LMSW = Licensed Master Social Worker (New York State) [Thanks to Jennifer Reardon, LMSW, Holbrook, NY)
LMT = Licensed Massage Therapist [Thanks to Del Hunter Morrill, Tacoma]
LOC = Level of Care [more]
LpastC = Licensed Pastoral Counselor
LPC = Licensed Professional Counselor, a state licensing designation. [See also: LCPC, above.]
LPCA = Licensed Professional Counselors Association
LPCC = Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor , a New Mexico license [Thanks Jennifer Cady].
LPCA-GA or LPCAGA = Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (GA), a chapter of the AMHCA.
LPCANC = Licensed Professional Counselors Association of North Carolina, a chapter of the AMHCA.
LPCANM or LPCA/NM = Licensed Professional Counselors Association of New Mexico, founded in 1979, is part of the New Mexico Counseling Association and is a Division of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.
LPCMH = Licensed Professional Counselors of Mental Health (Delaware)
LPCP = Licensed Professional Counselor-Private Practice (now obsolete) has been changed to LCPC or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor [Thanks to Janice Wiedrick, Bureau of Occupational Licenses, Idaho]
LPP = Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapist
LRC = Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor credential. (Louisiana, Massachusetts). The requirements vary by state. [Thanks to Robert Evans.]
LSAI = Licensed Substance Abuse Intern , a New Mexico license [Thanks to Jennifer Cady].
LSATP = Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner in State of Virginia, USA. [Thanks to Ann L. Miller, PhD, LCSW, LSATP, CSAC]
LSW = Licensed Social Worker
LSWA = Licensed Social Work Associate In the state of Maryland this requires a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and passing the Basic Examination. See also: LGSW, LCSW and LCSW-C.
LTBI = latent tuberculosis infection
LTC = long term care (a category of treatment).
LTR = long term residential inpatient treatment.
LULAC = League of United Latin American Citizens had members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and is the largest and oldest Hispanic Organization in the United States.
-M-
MA = (1) Master of Arts--a university graduate degree requiring one or two years of additional study above the requirements for a bachelors degree (BA or BS), or (2) Marijuana Anonymous, a chemical dependency support group.
MAA = Medical Assistance Administration.
MAABS, MA/ABS or MA, ABS = (1.) This should be just an MA, but in the past, graduates of Bastyr University's LIOS Leadership Institute of Seattle often added these extra initials (meaning Applied Behavioral Science) after their names, as in John Smith, MA, ABS. This added "ABS" does not indicate any additional licensure or certification beyond the masters degree and tends to be confusing and misleading to members of the public. October 20, 2006, Jacqueline Hooper, Vice President for Academic Affairs, announced that Bastyr University completed a review of degree acronym designations and determined that the MA designation should be used for the Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science degree. Some counselor alumni continue to use the "ABS" acronym despite repeated requests from Bastyr LIOS to discontinue the practice.] [Return to unethical, unprofessional counselor - therapist page.] or (2.) maabs (in lower case) "are groups of people who decide a location, time, activity etc. by "smart" means (such as) wireless messaging, email groups, instant messaging, etc. (These guys may be total strangers to each other.) They simply get together for a common purpose....This mob is carefully designed - to be at a particular place, at a particular time and to perform some specific activities....Did you read about the NYTimes article on the flash maab that got together at the Toys'R'Us store - they bowed to the mechanical dinosaur in the store whenever it roared." (Nothing to do with counseling, but the recent popularity of the term might have caused confusion, so it is included here.)
MAAP = More advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). [ MAAP]
MAC = Master Addictions Counselor, a speciality certification for addictions counselors offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., 3-D Terrace Way, Greensboro, North Carolina 27403-3660. Telephone: (336)547-0607. The MAC credential is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The MAC certification is also offered through the NAADAC.
MACD = Minnesota Association for Counseling and Development
MALDEF = The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is the leading nonprofit Latino litigation, advocacy and educational outreach institution in the United States.
MaMHCA = Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association.
MAN = Master of Arts in Nursing See also: the website "Masters in Nursing," that lists and discusses the various graduate degrees in nursing (and their acronyms) explains the differences, the colleges and universities that offer the degree programs, indexed by state, and the accrediting agencies for the programs.
MAOI / MAOIs = monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAP = an incorrect acronym mistakenly used by someone who has earned a Master of Arts in Psychology--It should be listed as an MA degree in psychology.
MAPP = an incorrect acronym mistakenly used by someone who has earned a Master of Arts in Public Policy--It should be listed as an MA degree in public policy.
MAPS = an incorrect acronym mistakenly used by someone who has earned a Master of Arts in Policy Studies--It should be listed as an MA degree in policy studies..
MAT = an incorrect acronym mistakenly used by someone who has earned a Master of Arts in Teaching--It should be listed as an MA degree in teaching.
MBA = Masters Degree in Business Administration
MBTI = Myers Briggs Type Indicator® questionnaire, published by the Consulting Psychologists Press, is one of the most widely used questionnaires in the world and places you in one of 16 personality types.
MCA = 1. Mississippi Counseling Association 2. Montana Counseling Association
MCAA = Maine College Admissions Association.
MCC = Master Certified Coach, ICF Credentialing Program.
MCCA = Maine Clinical Counselors Association.
MCDA = 1. Maine Career Development Association
2. Minnesota Career Development AssociationMCM = Maternity Case Management
MCMHCA = Montana Clinical Mental Health Counselors Association a state chapter of the AMHCA.
MCO = Managed Care Organization, which includes the BHMCO and the dreaded HMO.
MCPAC = Mississippi Counselors' Political Action Committee
MD = Medical Doctor: Psychiatrists are medical doctors with advanced training in diagnosing and treating the most serious mental illnesses. Often the treatment includes prescribing and monitoring mental health medications.
MDD = major depressive disorder.
MDiv = Masters in Divinity A university graduate degree. A masters degree in divinity usually requires three years of university graduate study beyond a bachelors degree (BA or BS)
MDFT = Multidimensional family therapy, an effective intervention technique for adolescent drug abuse.
MDMA = Methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine, called Ecstasy, also called entactogen , which means "touching within"
MdMHCA = Maryland Mental Health Counselors Association
MEA or MEAs = Maine Educational Assessment, a comprehensive assessment of pupil progress on both an individual and a per school basis as required by the federal education funding bill referred to as, "No Child Left Behind."
MeCA = The Maine Counseling Association
MECD = Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, professional journal of the Association for Assessment in Counseling and Education.
MEd = Masters of Education A university graduate degree requiring one or two years of additional study above the requirements for a bachelors degree (BA or BS).
MedPAC = the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
MESCA = Maine School Counselor Association.
MFA = Master of Fine Arts degree , involving music, art, music & art history, etc.
MFCC = (1.) Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor (Initials that serve as an indication of what a counselor does, rather than a recognized license or certification.) or (2.) Marriage, Family and Child Counselor (MFCC) was the license designation issued by the BBS in California up until 1999. According to the BBS website, effective July 1, 1999, the MFCC's profession underwent a name change (ie., AB 1449 (Brown)). Any reference in any statute or regulation to 'licensed marriage, family and child counselor" or "marriage, family and child counselor" shall be deemed a reference to "licensed marriage and family therapist" or "marriage and family therapist." (See also: MFT, below.)
MFT = 1. In the state of California MFT indicates a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. 2. marriage and family therapist or marriage and family therapy. In Washington state these are generic initials in that are generally used by counselors who lack other certification and decide to add these initials using the rationalization, "This is what I do." MFT is not the same as an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). It means nothing and performs no service but to confuse the public, a practice that CounselingSeattle.com considers to be in violation of professional and ethical standards. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists website lists the question: "Who are Marriage and Family Therapists?" and then answer it in detail. "Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems...." So, Washington Counselors, if you aren't licensed and can't use LMHC, it is unethical for you to use MFT ! [Return to unethical, unprofessional counselor - therapist page.]
MH = mental health
MHACA = Mental Health Association of Central Alabama
MHANYS = The Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
MHC = mental health counselor or mental health counseling. These are generic initials, in that they are used as a rationalization by some counselors to indicate, "this is what I do." In some cases the person may have a degree with a major in mental health counseling but often this is not the case. I do not know of any jurisdiction in which these initials have any legal or official standing. MHC does not indicate licensure nor certification by a professional organization. So far as we can tell, MHC could be used by anyone--without regard for experience, education, or training standards. It is my personal opinion that the use of these initials after a practitioner's name is misleading to the general public and most likely unethical under the ACA or AMHCA guidelines. [Return to unethical, unprofessional counselor - therapist page.]
MHF = Mental Health Facilitator, a curriculum project under NCBB, intended to bring a basic level of mental health education to parts of the world lacking knowledge and services. [Thanks to The NCC, Volume 23, Number 2, page 15, Spring 2007, a publication of the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc.]
MHCA = Mental Health Council of Arkansas
MHCADSD = Mental Health, Chemical Abuse & Dependency Services Division in the Department of Community and Human Services, King county, Washington
MHF = mental health facilitators, a new category being developed to provide "grassroots" mental health services around the world, primarily in low to middle income countries. Discussions began in 2006 involving the National Board for Certified Counselor - International and the World Health Organization's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. [Thanks to "The NCC" Vol 23, Number 1, Winter 2007, an publication of the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., Greensboro, NC 27403.] "...The program...is designed to teach basic mental health skills to helpers and caregivers who are not mental health professionals....The full curriculum is expected to be ready for training of trainers in January 2008."
MHLG = Mental Health Liaison Group --a coalition of "National organizations representing consumer, family members, advocates, professionals and providers."
MHN = Managed Health Network, a BHMCO.
MHP = Mental Health Professional. MHPs are qualified mental health providers who have been designated by an agency or hospital to meet contractual requirements with the county to perform duties in accordance with Washington State law. It appears that the correct terminology was CDMHP or County Designated Mental Health Professional (but since a 2005 revision, it is simply "Designated Mental Health Professional.) Legal definition: "Mental health professional means a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or social worker, and such other mental health professionals as may be defined by rules adopted by the secretary pursuant to the provisions of this chapter." [Washington State RCW 71.05.020 Definitions]
MHR = 1. medical history review, 2. maximum heart rate
MHSP = Mental Health Service Provider (State of Tennessee).
MI = 1. mental illness 2. myocardial infarction (heart attack)
MICA = Mentally Ill (ill) Chemical Abuser 1.) This phrase is generally used to describe clients who are addicted to a chemical substance and also have a diagnosed mental illness. Formerly referred to by the term, "dually diagnosed." (see also: COD), 2.) It is also a training facility certification for persons who have completed a special program to prepare them to work with such populations [i.e.: Pierce College, Lakewood, Washington].
MIS = Master of Information Science degree
MISA = Mentally Ill Substance Abuser, same as MICA.
MLIS = Master of Library and Information Science degree
MLPCA = Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Association.
MLS = Master of Library Science degree
MLSP = Masters of Law and Social Policy Program--offered by Bryn Mawr College, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research--prepares professionals in social work or human services, public administration, and policy analysis for socio-legal practice and research.
MMHCA = 1.) Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association, 2.) Missouri Mental Health Health Counselors Association
MMHS = Minority Mental Health Specialist
MMR = Measles/Mumps/ Rubella vaccine
MMT = methadone maintenance treatment
MMWR = Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Center for Disease Control
MN = Masters Degree in Nursing A university graduate degree requiring one or two years of additional study above the requirements for a bachelors degree in nursing (BA or BS)
MNADV = Men's Network Against Domestic Violence
MOLPC = Missouri Association of Licensed Professional Counselors.
MORF = male or female? a common chat room inquiry.
MPA = Masters Degree in Public Administration. Training for leadership in government and non-profit organizations.
MPD = multiple personality disorder (now the preferred term is DID.)
MPH = Masters Degree in Public Health
MPS = Master of Professional Studies is one of the degrees offered by Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York 11205. The MPS degree is offered in several departments: Arts and Cultural Management, Art Therapy & Creativity Development, Art Therapy--Special Education, and Design Management. The website does not explain the difference between an MA degree and a MPS.
MQAC = Medical Quality Assurance Commission, the disciplinary board for doctors in Washington State.
MR = Mentally Retarded, Mental Retardation , Mind Rape (re: "mind reading" or projecting your thoughts into another's head.) [more]
MRO = Medical Review Officer, a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) who is an expert in drug and alcohol testing and the application of federal regulations to the process.
MRSC = Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington, serving Washington State counties and cities.
MRT = Moral Recognition Therapy, a cognitive-behavioral approach with the goal of systematically altering cognition in offenders.
MS = (1.) Master of Science A university graduate degree requiring one or two years of additional study above the requirements for a bachelors degree (BA or BS). (2.) multiple sclerosis.
MSABS, MS/ABS or MS, ABS = This should be just an MS (Master of Science degree), but Bastyr University's LIOS Leadership Institute of Seattle--perhaps for lack of understanding of traditional standards for degree reporting or perhaps to make their graduates feel more important--encourages their graduates to add these extra initials (meaning Applied Behavioral Science) after their names, as in John Smith, MS, ABS. This added "ABS" does not indicate any additional licensure or certification beyond the master's degree and tends to be confusing and misleading to members of the public. [The personal and professional opinions expressed here are those of Floyd Else, MA, LMHC, webmaster, CounselingSeattle.com.]
MSCA = 1. Mississippi School Counselors Association. 2. Mountain State Counselors Alliance. Formed July 1, 2003, includes West Virginia School Counselors Association, West Virginia Counseling Association and West Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors Association [Thanks to "Counseling Today," July 2003, a publication of the ACA.]
MSCHE = Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Philadelphia, PA. A regional accrediting association: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
MSEd = Master of Science in Education
MSM = men who have sex with men. Acronym frequently used by public health.
MSN = Master of Science in Nursing A university graduate degree requiring one or two years of additional study above the requirements for a bachelors degree in nursing (BA or BS). See also: the website "Masters in Nursing," that lists and discusses the various graduate degrees in nursing (and their acronyms) explains the differences, the colleges and universities that offer the degree programs, indexed by state, and the accrediting agencies for the programs.
MSN/MA = Master of Science in Nursing with a Masters in Pastoral Ministry, one of the joint, or dual, degrees offered in combination with a masters degree in nursing.
MSN/MBA = Master of Science in Nursing with Master of Business Administration, one of the joint, or dual, degrees offered in combination with a masters degree in nursing.
MSN/MDiv = Master of Science in Nursing with a Master of Divinity, one of the joint, or dual, degrees offered in combination with a masters degree in nursing.
MSN/MHSA = Master of Science in Nursing with Master of Health Services Administration, one of the joint, or dual, degrees offered in combination with a masters degree in nursing.
MSN/MPA = Master of Science in Nursing with Master of Public Administration, one of the joint, or dual, degrees offered in combination with a masters degree in nursing.
MSN/MPH = Master of Science in Nursing with Master of Public Health, one of the joint, or dual, degrees offered in combination with a masters degree in nursing.
MSN/MSIS: = Master of Science in Nursing with Master of Science in Information Science, one of the joint, or dual, degrees offered in combination with a masters degree in nursing. See also: the website "Masters in Nursing," that lists and discusses the various graduate degrees in nursing (and their acronyms) explains the differences, the colleges and universities that offer the degree programs, indexed by state, and the accrediting agencies for the programs.
MSS = (1.) maternity support services, or
(2.) Master's of Social Service--similar to an MSW degree, the MSS is offered by Bryn Mawr College, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. [Thanks to Melissa Wood Brewster]MSSW = Master of Science in Social Work
MSU = Minimum Security Unit
MSW = Masters of Social Work A university graduate degree usually requiring two years of additional study above the requirements for a bachelors degree (BA or BS).
MT-BC = Music Therapist--Board Certified, a credential awarded by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. [Thanks to Wendy Zieve MA, MT-BC.]
MTF = Male to Female--"A person assigned 'male' at birth, but who identifies as female: the person may or may not seek or desire surgery. A transgendered person whose gender identity (sense of being mal/female) differs from their assigned birth sex....also those whose behavior, identity or appearance is not congruent with their assigned birth sex." [Adapted from "Transgender 101," Counseling Today, February 2008, a ACA publication.]
MTRL = a person registered as a music therapist who is granted a license to practice psychotherapy. [Wisconsin]
MVA = motor vehicle accident [Thanks to Richard Bagley]
MYOB = mind your own business, an acronym that was frequently used by advice columnist, the late Ann Landers.
If you would like to suggest an additional counseling-related acronym, contact us.
Check other acronym dictionaries
This document is Copyrighted© 1999-2005 Floyd Else, MA, and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part without prior written permission of the author except when single definitions are credited to the author, source and site name. [Floyd Else, Dictionary of Initials, Acronyms and Initials Used by Counselors and Social Workers, CounselingSeattle.com] All rights reserved.
The names of individuals may appear after certain definitions to indicate a contribution to this dictionary of initials and abbreviations.
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