List of credentials in psychology
Encyclopedia
This list is of professional and academic credentials in the field of psychology
and allied fields, including psychotherapy
, counseling and social work
. Academic degree
s such as the doctorate
are available in these fields, but only those specifically for psychological subjects are included.
MSW Master's degree in social work or social welfare : (required for advancement into an LCSW)
MSC: The Master of Science in Counseling
DMFT :Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy
LPsy: Licentiate in Psychology or Psychologist: professional title used in EU and Latin American countries and equivalent of PsyD of the US
PsyD :Doctor of Psychology
. Requires the student to create relevant and helpful research that contributes to the existing body of knowledge or scholarship in an area. At one time, the Psy. D. was assumed to not require significant research activities, focusing more on advanced clinical training. However, most academic institutions offering a Psy. D. today require the completion of a dissertation suitable for publishing. To use the title "psychologist", individuals must meet their state requirements and obtain a license to practice psychology.
PhD :Doctor of Philosophy
. A Doctor of Philosophy degree in psychology prepares the student to conduct independent research and to provide professional services (consultation, assessment, diagnosis, therapy). To use the title "psychologist", individuals must meet their state requirements and obtain a license to practice psychology.
states to graduate degree holders and license them to practice psychotherapy, also known as counseling.
CASAC: Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor or Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor
LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LCSW : Licensed Clinical Social Worker (or LCSW-C: Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical in some states)
LMSW : Licensed Master Social Worker
CRC: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LPC in some states)
LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor (LMHC in some states)
LPC-BE: Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Eligible- This is someone who is in the process of getting an LPC. They can bill for services, but not as much as an LPC.
LCAT: Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (state by state basis)
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and allied fields, including psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
, counseling and social work
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
. Academic degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
s such as the doctorate
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
are available in these fields, but only those specifically for psychological subjects are included.
Degrees
MA, or MS in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, educational psychology, etc. :A master's degree in the specified area which may or may not have required completion of a master's dissertation.MSW Master's degree in social work or social welfare : (required for advancement into an LCSW)
MSC: The Master of Science in Counseling
DMFT :Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy
LPsy: Licentiate in Psychology or Psychologist: professional title used in EU and Latin American countries and equivalent of PsyD of the US
PsyD :Doctor of Psychology
Doctor of Psychology
The Doctor of Psychology degree is a professional doctorate earned through one of two established training models for clinical psychology...
. Requires the student to create relevant and helpful research that contributes to the existing body of knowledge or scholarship in an area. At one time, the Psy. D. was assumed to not require significant research activities, focusing more on advanced clinical training. However, most academic institutions offering a Psy. D. today require the completion of a dissertation suitable for publishing. To use the title "psychologist", individuals must meet their state requirements and obtain a license to practice psychology.
PhD :Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
. A Doctor of Philosophy degree in psychology prepares the student to conduct independent research and to provide professional services (consultation, assessment, diagnosis, therapy). To use the title "psychologist", individuals must meet their state requirements and obtain a license to practice psychology.
Professional licenses
Professional licenses for masters level mental health providers are issued by U.S.United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
states to graduate degree holders and license them to practice psychotherapy, also known as counseling.
CASAC: Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor or Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor
LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LCSW : Licensed Clinical Social Worker (or LCSW-C: Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical in some states)
LMSW : Licensed Master Social Worker
CRC: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LPC in some states)
LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor (LMHC in some states)
LPC-BE: Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Eligible- This is someone who is in the process of getting an LPC. They can bill for services, but not as much as an LPC.
LCAT: Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (state by state basis)