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 included 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. NOTE: With the passage of ESSB 5732 by the
Legislature (Chapter 497, Laws of 2005), the Academic Achievement
and Accountability (A+) Commission was dissolved and its duties
transferred to the State Board of Education. For information on the
accountability work done by the A+ Commission, contact the State
Board of Education,
State Board website.
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 =
(1.) Agency Affiliated Counselor: A counselor who is employed by
or has an employment offer with an agency or facility that is
licensed or certified by the State of Washington. The agency
or facility sets the degree and experience requirements for the job,
if any. No degree, experience, or scope of practice standards
are established or required by the State of Washington.
(2.)
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.
AAFP =
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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
Therapy, 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.
AAPCSW =
American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work,
represents the interests of social work psychoanalyists and
psycho-analytically informed social workers. The AAPCSW is
affiliated with The
Clinical Social Work Federation.
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.
AAPI =
the Association for Autonomous Psychoanalytic Institutes.
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
AASW = Australian Association of Social
Workers is the professional representative body of Social
Workers in Australia nation-wide.
AASWB =
American Association of Social Work Boards,
may be the same as AASSWB, above. See also: ASWB, below.
AATA =
American Art Therapy Association, Inc.
promotes and regulates the educational, professional,
and ethical standards for art therapists and is the official member
organization for professionals and students in the field of art
therapy.
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.
ABA = Applied Behavioral Analysis, "...a therapy for autistic kids...Critics of ABA therapy, which uses
one-on-one instruction, repetition and rewards, say studies don't show that it's effective. Most insurers don't cover it, and
critics argue it can be given by unlicensed practitioners. But many parents insist it has pulled their kids out of their closed-in
words to become more socially adept. They maintain it should be covered just as rehabilitation therapy is for stroke patients."
[Carol M. Ostrom, Seattle Times health reporter, June 16, 2011]
ABAP =
American Board for Accreditation in Psychoanalysis.
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
ACAC=Association
for Child and Adolescent Counseling a new (2011)
organizational affiliate of the American Counseling Association.
When it gains 500 ACA members, it will qualify as an ACA division.
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.
ACAF =
American Counseling Association Foundation.
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.
ACCBO =
Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon was
founded in 1977, with the mission of certifying addiction
professionals through competency based evaluation of education,
experience and exams.
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.
ABA = (1.)
Applied Behavior Analysis (Applied Behavioral Analysis, Applied
Behavioural Analysis), (2.) Association for Behavior Analysis
(Association for Behaviour Analysis), (3.) Autism Behavior Analysis.
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. The Approved Continuing Education program was created as a way to
help licensing boards make determinations about a provider's ability to supply social workers with effective, relevant continuing
education. Approval through ACE means that a provider has met rigorous standards, and can provide social workers with high quality
learning activities.
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
ACHE = American Council of Hypnotist Examiners is based in Glendale, California, and
claims to have 9400 members world-wide, and to be the primary hypnotherapist certifying association in the United States--having
the highest educational standards of any hypnosis association in the world, only accepting hypnotherapy schools which satisfy
the strict licensing requirements of the California State Council for Private, Postsecondary and Vocational 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.]
ACROM =
Asociatiei Consilierilor Romani is a recently founded
(2009-2010) professional association intended to represent and
support counselors in Romania to promote the transition from
counseling as an occupation to counseling as a profession,
establishing a legal framework for all counselors, developing and
implementing an ethical code and quality standards, and supporting
the development of a national certification in counseling. [NBCC
newsletter, Volume 26, Number 1,WINTER 2010]
ACS = Approved Clinical Supervisor, a certification
of the CCE (the
Center for Credentialing & Education, a corporate affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors.)
The ACS credential was originally started by the National Board for Counselor Certification (NBCC) in 1997. In January 2001,
the ACS was transitioned to CCE to open the certification to mental health professionals who have obtained licensure or certification in
a related discipline. (Under NBCC, only NCCs were able to qualify for the certification.) The ACS credential attests to the
educational background, knowledge, skills, and competencies of the approved clinical supervisor.
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.] See also:
Adult ADD.
ADEC =
Association for Death Education and Counseling, "The
Thanatology Association." Thanatology defined as, "The
study of death and dying, including the medical, psychological, and
sociologic aspects of it. Each society has its own responses to
death and dying. From the Greek thanatos meaning death + -logy."
[definition from MedicineNet.com "We Bring Doctor' Knowledge to
You."]
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.)
Continue to more "A" acronyms >>
