Psychology Acronym Glossary
Mental health professionals use countless acronyms to communicate quickly with colleagues. Bookmark our glossary of the most important psychology acronyms you need to know.
During your academic studies and throughout your career in psychology, you will frequently use shorthand terms to communicate with your colleagues and clients. Our glossary of need-to-know psychology acronyms is organized into degrees, mental illnesses, therapies, job titles, and professional organizations.
Counseling and Psychology Degree Acronyms
BA: Bachelor of Arts
BS: Bachelor of Science
BSW: Bachelor of Social Work
DSW: Doctor of Social Work
MA: Master of Arts
MS: Master of Science
MSW: Master of Social Work
Ph.D.: Doctor of Philosophy
Psy.D.: Doctor of Psychology
Mental Illnesses Acronyms
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
APD: Antisocial Personality Disorder
ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder
BD: Bipolar Disorder
BED: Binge Eating Disorder
BDD: Body Dysmorphic Disorder
BPD: Borderline Personality Disorder
DMDD: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
ED: Emotional Disturbance or Eating Disorder
GAD: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
ID: Intellectual Disability
LD: Learning Disability
MDD: Major Depressive Disorder
OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OUD: Opioid Use Disorder
PPD: Paranoid Personality Disorder
PTSD: Most Traumatic Stress Disorder
SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder
TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury
Therapy Acronyms
ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
CAT: Cognitive Analytic Therapy
CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CET: Cognitive Enhancement Therapy
CFT: Compassion Focused Therapy
CMT: Concentrative Movement Therapy
CPT: Cognitive Processing Therapy
DBT: Dialectical Behavior Therapy
EFT: Emotionally Focused Therapy
EFT: Emotional Freedom Therapy
FAP: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy
IBP: Integrative Body Psychotherapy
ISTDP: Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy
MDT: Mode Deactivation Therapy
PCIT: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
PCT: Person-Centered Therapy
PE: Prolonged Exposure Therapy
REBT: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
TFP: Transference Focused Psychotherapy
Counseling and Psychology Job Title Acronyms
CADC: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
CAC: Certified Addiction Counselor or Certified Alcoholism Counselor
CSAC: Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
LCMHC: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LICDC: Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor
LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LMHP: Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor
LPCC: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of Mental Health
LSSP: Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
MFCC: Marriage, Family, and Career Counselor
NCSP: Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Organizations
ABCFP: American Board of Couple and Family Psychology
ABPN: American Board of Professional Neuropsychology
ABPP: American Board of Professional Psychology
ACSW: Academy of Clinical Social Workers
AMA: American Medical Association
APA: American Psychological Association
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
NIMH: National Institute of Mental Health
Other Psychology Resources
