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Practitioners Critera

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Practitioners in the field of mental health can include:

Art Therapist
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Counselor/Therapist
Drug & Alcohol Counselor
Licensed Psychoanalyst
Life Coach
Marriage & Family Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Pastoral Counselor/Therapist
Pre-Licensed Professional
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatrist
Psychologist

The State of Michigan Bureau of Health Professions regulates health care professionals through specific boards that grant licenses. The Board of Counseling and the Board of Psychology are responsible for Licensed Professional Counselors, Limited Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Master's Social Workers, Licensed Bachelor's Social Workers, and Registered Social Service Technicians.

A licensed/registered psychologist holds a doctorate in their field, (typically a Ph.D. or Psy.D.). A Ph.D. psychologist is trained to be both a scientist and practitioner of the profession. Some psychologists have a professional degree in psychology (Psy.D.), which focuses more on clinical practice, and includes similarly rigorous coursework, supervised professional training, internship, and developing the ability to conduct and interpret academic research. American Psychological Association guidelines state that only those who hold a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree in psychology or a closely related field should call themselves psychologists.

Licensed psychiatrists hold a medical degree with a specialty in psychiatry - they are physicians who have earned an MBBS/M.D. or a D.O. professional degree, whereas psychologists have earned a doctoral degree Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.

The Michigan Department of Community Health, Bureau of Health Professions, Board of Psychology regulates and issues licenses for mental health practitioners. You can check the status of a practitioner at the Michigan Health License/Registration Search site: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/free/default.asp

You may see the following abbreviations used for the range of credentials and licenses that Therapists and psychologists and counselors may have.

ABFP: Board certification by the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP)
ABPP: American Board of Professional Psychology certified specialist
ACSW: Academy of Certified Social Workers license
APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
ATR-BC: Registered Art Therapist
BCD: Board Certified Diplomate certification
CADC: Certification for Alcohol and Drug Counselors
CAP: Certified Addiction Professional
CATC: Certified Addiction Treatment Counselors are recognized by the
National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
CCDC: Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor
CGP: Certified Group Psychotherapist
CHT: Certified Hypnotherapist
CRC: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
CSW: Clinical Social Workers
DCSW: Diplomate in Clinical Social Work is the highest distinction from the National Association of Social Workers
DMin: Doctor of Ministry
DO: Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine
EdD: Doctor of Education
FAACP: Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology
JD: Juris Doctor is a law degree
LAC: Licensed Addiction Counselor
LCP: Licensed Clinical Psychologist
LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
LCS: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW-C: Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Clinical
LCSW-R: Licensed Clinical Social Worker-R The "R" designation indicates that the practitioner can possibly receive third-party insurance reimbursement.
LICSW: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
LISW: Licensed Independent Social Worker
LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LMSW: Licensed Master Social Worker
LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor
LPCC: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
LSW: Licensed Social Worker
MA: Master of Arts degree
MAC: Master's in Addiction Counselor degree
MBA: Master's in Business Administration degree
MC: Master of Counseling degree
MCC: Master Conditional (Clinical) is short for Licensed Master Social Worker Conditional Clinical
MD: Doctor of Medicine degree
MDiv: Master of Divinity degree
MEd: Master of Education degree
MFT: Marriage and Family Therapist
MFTI: Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
MS: Master of Science degree
MSW: Master of Social Work degree
NCC: Nationally Certified Counselor certification issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy degree
PsyD: Doctor of Psychology degree
RN: Registered Nurse
SAP: Substance Abuse Professional