Glossary of Initials:
Professional Degrees, Organizations and Other Jargon
(© 1994, Rev. 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003) Victoria Polin, MA, ATR, LCPC
Do you know some initials of professional degrees, organizations or other jargon that is missing? Especially information on Holistic practitioners. We are also looking for the names, address, telephone numbers, websites and e-mail addresses of creditialing organizations so we can include them here and also in the next Trauma, Recovery & Empowerment Resource Guide. Please forward information to: Vicki Polin
| A.A.T.A | American Art Therapy Association |
| A.B.A. | American Bar Association |
| A.B.E.C.S.W. | American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work. |
| A.C.E.P. | Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology |
| A.C.S.W. | Academy of Certified Social Worker |
| ADTA | American Dance Therapy Association |
| A.D.T.R. | Academy of Dance Therapist Registered |
| A.M.A. | American Medical Association |
| A.M.H.C.A. | American Mental Health Counselors Associaton |
| A.P.A. | American Psychological Association |
| A.P.A. | American Psychiatric Association |
| A.S.A. | Assistant States Attorney (can be in either Juvenile and/or Criminal Court) |
| A.T.R. | Art Therapist Registered |
| A.T.R.-B.C. | Art Therapist Registered - Board Certified. |
| AYA | American Yoga Association |
| B.A. | Bachelor of Arts Degree |
| B.C.D. | Board Certified Diplomat (given by ABECSW to social workers) |
| B.S. | Bachelor of Science |
| B.S.N. | Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| B.S.W. | Bachelors Degree in Social Work |
| C.A.C. | Certified Addictions Counselor |
| C.A.D.C. | Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor |
| CCGC | Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor |
| C.E.T. | Certified Expressive Therapist |
| C.R.C. | Certified Rehabilitation Counselor |
| C.E.U. | Continuing Education Units |
| C.M.T. | Certified Massage Therapist. |
| DASA | Department of Alcohol and Substance Abused (Illinois) |
| D.C. | Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine |
| D.C.F.S. | Dept. of Children and Family Services (Illinois) |
| D.C.P. | Department of Child Protection |
| D.C.S.W. | Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. (Given to Social Workers by the NASW..) |
| D.D. Dually | DSMIV Diagnosis and/or Developmentally Delayed and/or Chemically Dependent |
| D. Ed. | Doctorate in Education |
| Det. | Detective |
| Dipl. Ac. | Diplomat of Acupuncture |
| Dipl. Hom. | Diplomat of Homeopathic Medicine |
| D.N. |
Doctor of
Napraprathy or
Doctor of Naturopathy |
| D.O. | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine |
| D.P.M. | Doctor of Podiatric Medicine |
| Dr. | Doctor (can refer to an DSW, M.D., PhD, PsyD . . . ). |
| D.S.M.–IV | Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders |
| D.S.W. | Doctorate in Social Work |
| DTR | Dance Therapist Registered |
| Dx | Diagnosis |
| FICPP | Fellow International College of Prescribing Psychologists |
| G.A.L. | Guardian Ad Litem. In Illinois, all children who are wards of the state are appointed a G.A.L. by Public Guardian's office. In some counties is the child's attorney in both juvenile and criminal court. |
| H.L.M. | Honorable Life Member (given to art therapist's by AATA). |
| Hx | History |
| IAAP | Illinois Association of Addiction Professionals |
| I.A.T.A. | Illinois Art Therapy Association. |
| IAODAPCA | Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association |
| I.C.A.S.A. | Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault |
| I.C.A.D.V. | Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. |
| ISSD | The International Society for the Study of Dissociative Disorders |
| I.T.P. | Individual Treatment Plan |
| JCASA | Jewish Coalition Against Childhood Sexual Abuse |
| J.D | Juris Doctor (degree given to an Attorney). |
| L.A.N. Local Area Network | (Community Mental Health Centers boundaries for funding). |
| L.C.P.C. | Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (in Illinois, Master Degreed Mental Health Provider.). Can accept most insurance for payment. |
| L.C.S.W. | Licensed Clinical Social Worker. (in Illinois, Master Degreed Mental Health Provider.). Can accept most insurance for payment. |
| L.C.S.W | Licensed Certified Social Worker (in Maryland, Master Degreed Mental Health Provide). Can accept most insurance for payment. |
| L.C.S.W-C | Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (in Maryland, Master Degreed Mental Health Provide). Can accept most insurance for payment. |
| L.D. | Licensed Dietitian. |
| L.L.M. | License of Law (requies a Masters Degree in Law). |
| L.M.H.C. | Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Requires Masters Degreed) |
| L.M.F.T. | Licensed Marriage, Family & Child Counselor. |
| L.P.C. | Licensed Professional Counselor (in Illinois, Bachelor Degree Provider). |
| L.P.N. | Licensed Practical Nurse |
| L.P.H.A. | Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts |
| L.S.W. | Licensed Social Worker |
| M.A. | Masters of Arts (can be in any field) |
| M.A.A.T | Masters of Arts in Art Therapy (From some programs). |
| M.C.A.S.A. | Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault |
| M.Ed | Masters of Education. |
| M.F.C.C. | Marriage, Family and Child Counselor. |
| M.D. | Medical Doctor |
| MDiv. | Masters of Divinity. |
| MHC | Mental Health Center |
| MI | Mental Illness/Mentally Ill. |
| MISA | Mentally Ill/Substance Abuse. |
| MPH | Masters of Public Health. |
| MS | Masters of Science (can be in any field). |
| MSN | Masters of Science in Nursing. |
| MSW | Masters degree in Social Work. |
| M.S.S.W. | Master's of Science in Social Work. |
| NAADAC | National Association of Addiction Professionals |
| NADT | National Association For Drama Therapy |
| N.A.S.W | National Association of Social Workers. |
| NBCC | National Board of Certified Counselors |
| OTR | Occupational Therapist Registered. |
| PA | Public Aid. |
| PAS | Pre-Admission Screening for nursing home and/or residential treatment. Needed for individuals on Medicaid (State of Illinois) |
| PD | Police Department. |
| PDR | Physicians' Desk Reference (book describing medication). |
| PhD | Doctor of Philosophy (can be in any field, i.e. psychology, social work, chemistry...) |
| PsyD | Doctorate of Psychology. |
| RA | Ritual Abuse |
| RD | Registered Dietitian |
| R.D.T. | Registered Drama Therapist (by the National Association For Drama Therapy). |
| RN | Registered Nurse. |
| Rx | Prescription/Prescribed |
| QMHP | Qualified Mental Health Professional (Master Degreed Level Professional). |
| QMRP | Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (Master Degreed Professional). |
| SASS | Screening, Assessment & Support Services. (Needed for individuals on Medicaid in the state of Illinois prior to being admitted to a psychiatric unit or facility. |
| SSA | Social Security Administration |
| SSDI | Social Security Disability Income |
| SSI | Social Security Income |
| Tx | Treatment Prescribed Treatment |
Last Updated: 12/18/2003
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead