Choosing a therapist is an important task. One of the most important parts of understanding how to choose a therapist is to know what all the letters after their name means. There are three categories for these abbreviations: education, licensure, and credentials.
Let’s start with education. In order for therapists to become licensed, they have to complete an undergraduate degree. This degree, typically a BA (bachelor of arts) or BS (bachelor of science), is not listed after their name but is likely listed on their CV (curriculum vitae, which is a sort of long resume) or on their resume. The undergraduate degree is a prerequisite to going to graduate school.
This is where things get a little confusing. To become a therapist, one must finish a graduate degree. But, there are many kinds of graduate degrees that could lead to licensure (as well as several licenses).
Let’s start with the basics. The minimum level of education to become licensed is a master’s degree such as a MA (master of arts) or MS (master of science). The area of educational focus can vary a lot. The common areas of study are clinical psychology, counseling psychology or sometimes just counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work. In addition, the fields of counselor education, education, divinity, drug and alcohol abuse or other areas of study can qualify someone to apply for licensure.
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish an MA from an MS but generally the MS requires research experience while the MA emphasizes clinical training. To make things more confusing, some degree titles are specific to the area of education. For instance, someone who earns a master’s in social work is awarded an MSW. Similarly, someone who studied education would be awarded an MEd.
Most master’s degrees can be completed in about two years, some a little shorter and some a little longer.
There is also a doctoral level of education. Doctoral programs also vary in educational focus. Generally, there are two paths for a doctoral degree: a doctor of philosophy (PhD) or a doctor of psychology (PsyD). Both require a dissertation but the PhD typically requires a dissertation that is research-based such as an empirical study. A PsyD requires a dissertation that could be theoretical in nature, or perhaps a qualitative study. The PsyD degree tends to focus on clinical training, while the PhD tends to focus on developing the skills necessary to become a professor such as teaching and writing.
There is one more caveat. The most common areas of study for those who have completed the doctoral degree are clinical or counseling psychology. There are a few other areas one might study such as counselor education, education, personality, social psychology, cognitive psychology, experimental psychology, or school psychology. Sometimes people who earn a PhD in one of these areas respecialize in a clinical area so they can be licensed as a psychologist.
There is one more area of education that I have not covered and that is the field of medicine. Psychiatrists are physicians who complete medical school to earn an MD (doctor of medicine) degree, and then they complete a residency in psychiatry. Most psychiatrists don’t do therapy. Mostly they help people find the right medication that will help with their dilemmas.
Now let’s move on to licensing. In order to become a therapist, one must meet the educational and training requirements of the state licensing boards. Unfortunately, in most states there are several licensing boards that regulate therapists. Typically, there is a board for psychologists, social workers, Licensed Professional Counselors (sometimes different states use different titles for this license such as Licensed Mental Health Counselor), Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and some states have Licensed Behavioral Practitioner, and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Psychologists tend not to use a set of letters to describe their licensing. They only use PhD or PsyD after their names. Similarly, psychiatrists tend to use only their degree (MD) after their name. However, social workers use the letters LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). Licensed Professional Counselors use the letters LPC. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists use LMFT after their name. If the state has a licensing board for Licensed Behavioral Practitioner, they use LBP. And, LADCs are Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
Ok, now it’s going to get even more confusing. Once someone has completed their education and passed licensing exams, they are required by their licensing board to acquire continuing education every year. Continuing education may include various kinds of certifications. One might be certified in helping people with trauma, marital problems, substance abuse, or hundreds of other areas. One might be certified in a method such as psychoanalysis, Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or play therapy. The number of certifications is astonishingly large. Sometimes these certifications represent substantial educational commitment such as in psychoanalytic training. This particular training typically takes four years or more and is rigorous. Other certifications one can earn in a day.
Typically the convention is to use one’s name, their degree, if called for, their license, and then, if desired, their certifications. For instance:
Jane Doe, MA, LPC, EMDR
Or
Jane Doe, PhD
Or
Jane Doe, MSW, LCSW, RPT
In the first example Jane earned a master of arts. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor. And, she has a certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is a treatment for trauma.
In the second example Jane has a PhD and is likely licensed as a psychologist.
In the third example, Jane earned a master of social work, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and has a certificate as a Registered Play Therapist.
There are a seemingly infinite number of permutations if certifications are added behind someone’s name. But, don’t be fooled by a therapist simply having a lot of letters after their name. Sometimes the letters mean that someone likes to be a student, and while education is generally desired in the field of psychology, it does not necessarily mean someone has become a competent therapist.
PhD = Doctor of philosophy in some area like clinical or counseling psychology
PsyD = Doctor of psychology, usually in clinical psychology
PhD c = Doctoral student who has completed enough of their program to be considered a doctoral candidate
MA = Master of arts, typically in clinical or counseling psychology
MS = Master of science, typically in clinical or counseling psychology
MSW = Master of social work
MD = Doctor of medicine
LPC = Licensed Professional Counselor
LMFT = Licensed Marital and Family Therapist
LCSW = Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LADC = Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
LBP = Licensed Behavioral Practitioner
To find out what the letters for a certification mean, my suggestion is to Google them.