acting out
Process of expressing unconscious thoughts via actions rather than words. Acting out can be harmful, but it can also be therapeutic if conducted in controlled situations.
APRN
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
allied mental health clinician
Masters level non-licensed therapist
BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Conducts descriptive and systematic behavioral assessments, including functional analyses, and provides behavior analytic interpretations of the results.
BHCNS
Behavioral Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. (Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Specialist)
BHRS
Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services.
BSC
Behavioral Specialist Consultant. Responsible for creating behavior modification plan in conjunction with family members and other individuals involved with the client.
case management
This is the community coordination and treatment of individuals needing mental health services.
child and adolescent psychiatrist
Licensed physicians/ psychiatrists (MD or DO) who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Medical and psychiatric training with children and adolescents prepares them to treat children and adolescents either individually, as part of and involving the family unit and/or in a group setting. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can prescribe medication.
CSW
Certified Social Worker
DO
Doctor of Osteopathy, Psychiatrist
Decompensation
The deterioration of existing defenses against mental illness that leads to an exacerbation of the behavior.
DSW
Doctor of Social Work
electroconvulsive therapy
Procedure causing brief convulsion by passing an electric current through the brain. Used to treat some mental disorders. (ECT)
group therapy
Type of psychiatric care in which several patients meet with one or more therapists at the same time. Patients are able to form a support group for one another as well as receive care and advice from the therapist.
LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Levels of Care
The intensity of medical care being provided by the physician or health care facility. Click here to learn more about Levels of Care [link to What are Levels of Care page].
LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor. One of the six types of licensed mental health professionals who provide psychotherapy in the United States. Licensure occurs at the state level and requires supervised clinical experiences, completion of state licensure exam and graduate level education.
LPP
Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapist
MD
Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist only
MFT
Marriage and Family Therapist
mobile therapist
Mobile therapists provide intensive therapeutic sessions for clients in non-traditional settings outside of a clinic or hospital. May meet with just the client or the client and family for sessions. Length of sessions may vary according to needs of the client and family members.
MSW
Master of Social Work
MSSW
Master of Science of Social Work
nurse practitioner
(NP) Registered nurse who has completed advanced training in medical specialty. Can function as primary direct provider of health care and prescribe medications. Able to treat both mental and physical conditions.
PCNP
Psychiatric Certified Nurse Practitioner (nurse practitioner -psychiatry)
Ph.D
Doctor of philosophy
Psy D
Doctor of psychology
psychologist's assistant
Assists psychologist with routine duties such as conducting and scoring tests and conducting intake interviews. Performs related work as required.
Psychiatrist
Physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Able to prescribe medication for the treatment of mental health disorders.
Psychologist
Professional specializing in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, emotional disturbance and behavior problems.
Psychotherapy
Treatment of a mental illness by psychological means. May utilize insight, persuasion, suggestions, reassurance and instruction to enable patients to see themselves and their problems more realistically.
TSS
Therapeutic Staff Support. Often provide one on one intervention with clients in locations prescribed by the psychologist (could include home, school and/or community). TSS implements methods and interventions from the treatment plan to help client achieve goals of the treatment plan.