Handy Initial Decoder
There are a variety of credentials for mental health professionals. Here’s what they mean:
AAMFT American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (cert)*
AAPH American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists (cert)
ABFamP American Board of Family Psychology (cert) ABMP American Board of Medical Psychotherapy (cert)
ABPH American Board of Psychological Hypnosis ACT Academy of Cognitive Therapy (cert) ACP advanced clinical practitioner (lic)**
ACSW Academy of Clinical Social Workers (cert) BCCS board certifi ed in clinical social work (cert)
BCDSW board certifi ed diplomate in clinical social work (cert) CCCP board certifi ed in child and adolescent psychology
(cert)
CCMHC certifi ed clinical mental health counselor (cert) CCSW certifi ed clinical social worker (lic)
CISW certifi ed independent social worker (cert) CMFT certifi ed marriage and family therapist (cert)
CP certifi ed psychologist (lic); clinical psychologist (lic) CSW certifi ed social worker (lic); clinical social worker (lic) D/AABM diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine
(cert)
D/ABPN diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
DSW doctor of social work EdD doctor of education
(continues)
LCP licensed clinical psychologist (lic); licensed counseling professional (lic)
LCSW licensed clinical social worker (lic) LGSW licensed graduate social worker (lic)
LICSW licensed independent clinical social worker (lic) LMFC licensed marriage and family counselor (lic) LMFCC licensed marriage, family and child counselor (lic)
LMFT licensed marriage and family therapist (lic) LMHC licensed mental health counselor (lic)
LP licensed psychologist (lic)
LPA licensed psychological associate (lic) LPC licensed professional counselor (lic) LSP licensed school psychologist (lic) LSW licensed social worker (lic)
MC master of counseling
MFC marriage and family counselor (lic) MFCC marriage, family and child counselor (lic)
MFCT marriage, family and child therapist (lic) MSS master of social science
MSSW master of science in social work (acad) MSW master of social work
NAMHC National Academy of Mental Health Counselors (cert) NBCC National Board of Certifi ed Counselors (cert)
NCC National Certifi ed Counselor (cert)
NRHSPP National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology (cert)
PhD doctor of philosophy (continued)
developing a plan to treat your disorder that may involve medication, cognitive-behavioral or other talk therapy, or a combination of meth-ods. That’s why it’s so important that you feel comfortable working with the therapist and asking questions about the process.
While the therapist’s experience and education is important, you must fi nd a counselor with whom you feel comfortable, because you’ll be sharing some very personal thoughts and feelings with this person. It’s also important that you feel comfortable with what-ever therapy the mental health professional suggests. The more you trust this person and feel comfortable in exploring your feelings, the better.
Let’s say a family friend has recommended a mental health spe-cialist who is dedicated to treating depression in teens. When your parents talk to this person on the phone to discuss payment options and insurance issues, there are a few other things they should fi nd out.
Your parents should ask if the therapist is licensed to practice in your state, what type of experience he or she has, and whether he or she has been trained in cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapy.
Your parents also should fi nd out if the person primarily has worked with children and adolescents.
It’s a good idea for your parents to ask the therapist to meet with you for a brief consultation or talk with you during a 1.
2.
3.
PsyD doctor of psychology
RHCP registered health care provider (cert) RISW registered independent social worker (lic)
ScD doctor of science (lic) SW social worker (lic)
* cert indicates certifi cation
** lic indicates licensure
phone interview before you commit to becoming a client.
Your parents should expect to pay for this type of service, although a few therapists might consider it a complimentary visit.
When you fi nally meet the therapist, you should fi nd out whether you’re comfortable with the person. How well does the therapist help you understand what your problems may be and what your treatment might involve? You’ll be surprised how quickly you get a sense of whether the two of you “click.” This is the time to ask any questions you may have. It’s not being rude—the right “fi t” is vital for your treatment.
At this point, many older children and adolescents want to be reas-sured that anything they say to the therapist is confi dential and can-not be shared with anyone (including teachers, other doctors, or your parents) without permission—unless they indicate that they may try to hurt someone or commit suicide. This is very important to discuss with the therapist right away, but you’d be surprised how often kids hesitate to bring this up. Even worse, some kids simply shut down and don’t tell the therapist what’s really going on in their lives out of fear that the counselor will tell their parents.
That’s what happened to Phoebe, who had been depressed for sev-eral years when she suddenly confi ded to a friend that she’d started cutting herself and that she was frightened by her own behavior. “But I can’t tell my therapist,” she confi ded, “because I’m afraid he’ll tell my parents.” Luckily for Phoebe, a teacher saw the scars and inter-vened. It would have been much better if Phoebe had discussed with her therapist right at the beginning of treatment how private their sessions would be.
Most therapists like to give parents a general sense of what’s going on in therapy, but if there are important things you want to talk about in complete privacy with the therapist, most will keep your confi dence. Most therapists are very sensitive about the importance of fi nding a balance between a parent’s legitimate right to know what’s going on with a child and the child’s innate right to privacy.
Some examples of other questions you might want to ask a poten-tial therapist include
■
■ What kind of treatment will you recommend?
■
■ If I need medication, can you prescribe it or refer me to someone who can?
■
■ How long might treatment take?
■
■ How often will we need to meet?
■
■ Are you available by phone if I have an emergency? Who will I see when you’re sick or on vacation?
■
■ Will you also meet with my parents if that would help?
Pay attention to how the person answers these questions and how he or she responds. If you decide that the person seems ideal and really sensitive to you, that’s wonderful. But if something just doesn’t feel right, don’t worry about moving on and continuing the search.