When choosing a professional to work with, it can be confusing trying to figure out what credentials a therapist holds by the letters after their name. Here's a list of some of the possibilities you may find along with a brief description of what they mean in terms of education and training. I recommend choosing a counselor with one or more of the following credentials:
- PhD
- This stands for Doctor of Philosophy. These letters do not speak directly to what the person’s course of study was (for example one can earn a PhD in many areas other than clinical psychology) but they have completed a rigorous course of training in their specialty and hold a doctorate degree. PhD does not give any information about whether or not the person holding the degree has a license to practice therapy. Check to see if this person is a licensed psychologist in the state they are practicing in. If they are licensed, they have completed a required number of post graduate hours of counseling and passed a rigorous exam in order to become a licensed psychologist.
- PsyD
- This stands for Doctor of Psychology. This person holds a doctorate degree in Psychology but as with the PhD, this does not give any information about whether or not the person holding the degree has a license to practice therapy. Check to see if this person is a licensed psychologist in the state they’re practicing in. If they are licensed they have completed a required number of post graduate hours of counseling and passed a rigorous exam in order to become a licensed psychologist.
- LPC
- This stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. This person holds at least a Masters degree in a mental health discipline (MA or MS in psychology, counseling, social work etc.) and has completed a required number of post graduate hours of counseling and passed a rigorous exam in order to receive a state license to practice a wide range of counseling.
- LMHC
- This stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor. This person holds at least a Masters degree in a mental health discipline (MA or MS in psychology, counseling, social work etc.) and has completed a required number of post graduate hours of counseling and passed a rigorous exam in order to receive a state license to practice mental health counseling.
- LMFT
- This stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. This person holds at least a Masters degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT) and has completed a required number of post graduate hours of counseling and passed a rigorous exam in order to receive a state license to practice marriage and family counseling.
- LCSW
- This stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. This person holds at least a Master’s degree in social work (MSW) and has completed a required number of post graduate hours of counseling and passed a rigorous exam in order to receive license to clinical social work.
- NCC
- This stands for Nationally Certified Counselor. This person holds at least a Masters degree in a mental health discipline (MA or MS in psychology, counseling, social work etc.) and has earned a license in the state in which they are practicing, passed the national counseling examination, and meets the rigorous standards of ongoing continuing education required by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
- LDAC
- This stands for Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. This person holds at least a Masters degree in a mental health discipline with additional course work in substance abuse and has completed a required number of post graduate hours of substance abuse counseling and passed a rigorous exam in order to receive license to practice substance abuse counseling.
