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.
At Psychology.org we believe in providing trustworthy and actionable information about degree programs, careers, professional issues, and regional laws concerning the psychology, counseling, and social work professions. Our writers and editors leverage the latest data from primary sources across the site.
We also rely on our freelance Integrity Network, which is comprised of experienced professionals who pull from their first-hand industry experience and expertise to review content for accuracy and completeness. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
During your academic studies and career in psychology, you will frequently encounter shorthand terms when communicating with your professors, colleagues, and clients. Our glossary of psychology acronyms covers degrees, accrediting bodies, professional organizations, credentials and titles, mental health conditions, and therapy modalities.
Counseling and Psychology Degrees
Counseling, psychology, and social work careers typically require a college degree. Undergraduate programs can prepare graduates for select entry-level positions, while a majority of psychology professions require an advanced degree at the graduate, professional, or doctoral level. Explore the most popular psychology degree types.
Undergraduate Degrees
- BA: Bachelor of arts — incorporates a greater emphasis on the humanities.
- BAS: Bachelor of applied science — incorporates a greater emphasis on hands-on, practical skills; frequently offered in behavioral health and addiction studies.
- BS: Bachelor of science — incorporates a greater emphasis on the sciences.
- BSW: Bachelor of social work — common requirement for baccalaureate social workers.
Graduate Degrees
- MA: Master of arts — incorporates a greater emphasis on the humanities.
- M.Ed.: Master of education — frequently offered in counseling programs.
- MS: Master of science — incorporates a greater emphasis on the sciences.
- MSW: Master of social work — common requirement for clinical social workers.
Doctoral and Professional Degrees
- DSW: Doctor of social work — terminal degree in social work.
- Ed.D.: Doctor of education — terminal degree commonly pursued by school psychologists.
- Ed.S.: Education specialist — specialist-level degree commonly pursued by school psychologists.
- Ph.D.: Doctor of philosophy — terminal degree with an emphasis on research.
- Psy.D.: Doctor of psychology — terminal degree with an emphasis on practice.
Professional Organizations
These organizations shape academic and professional best practices, conduct key research and surveys, and engage in public and government advocacy on behalf of their profession. Many offer membership benefits like access to journals, conferences, and career support, which college students may access at a reduced cost.
- AAMFT: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- 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
Accreditation Bodies
Attending an accredited program is often required for licensure in psychology, counseling, and social work. Before searching for the right college, prospective students should be able to recognize the relevant accreditation acronyms for their desired field of study.
- ACGC: Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling
- APA-CoA: American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
- CACREP: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- COAMFTE: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
- CSWE: Commission on Social Work Education
- MPCAC: Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council
- NASP: National Association of School Psychologists
Certifications, Licenses, and Job Titles
Psychology professionals hold various job titles, license designations, and credentials. The acronyms associated with a professional’s credentials may reflect state regulations, professional board requirements, or optional certifications. Sixteen common credentials for U.S. psychology professionals include:
- CADC: Certified alcohol and drug counselor
- CAC: Certified addiction counselor
- CSAC: Certified substance abuse counselor
- LBSW: Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- 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
- LSSP: Licensed specialist in school psychology
- MFCC: Marriage, family, and career counselor
- NCSP: Nationally certified school psychologist
Mental Health Disorders and Other Conditions
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental health condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 6 U.S. children has a developmental disability.
Mental conditions and developmental disabilities can range from mild to severe, and can limit a person’s ability to function well in everyday life. Psychology professionals help support clients through a variety of conditions, including:
- ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty with attention, executive functions, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- APD: Antisocial personality disorder — condition characterized by a persistent disregard for rules of society, a lack of empathy, and, in some cases, breaking the law and violating others.
- ASD: Autism spectrum disorder — developmental disorder that can impact communication, social interaction, and behavior.
- BD: Bipolar disorder — mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of manic and depressive episodes.
- BED: Binge eating disorder — condition characterized by persistent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short time period, leading to feelings of loss of control.
- BDD: Body dysmorphic disorder — condition characterized by intense preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s own physical appearance.
- BPD: Borderline personality disorder — condition characterized by instability in mood, behavior, self-image, and interpersonal relationships.
- DMDD: Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder — childhood mood disorder characterized by persistent irritability and severe temper outbursts.
- GAD: Generalized anxiety disorder — condition characterized by excessive worry, anxiety, or distress that can interfere with daily function.
- ID: Intellectual disability — developmental disability characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior that emerge during childhood.
- LD: Learning disability — developmental disability characterized by persistent difficulty learning and processing in academic areas like reading, spelling, writing, and math.
- MDD: Major depressive disorder — mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest.
- OCD: Obsessive-compulsive disorder — anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
- PPD: Paranoid personality disorder — condition characterized by a long-term pattern of distrust or suspicion of others.
- PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder — mental health condition caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
- SAD: Seasonal affective disorder — mood disorder characterized by depression symptoms that return around the same time each year.
- TBI: Traumatic brain injury — result of damage caused to the brain by an external force, such as a sports accident, that can vary in severity and increase risk for mental health conditions.
Therapy Modalities
During therapy, psychology professionals use a variety of approaches called therapy modalities. These evidence-based modalities often work best to support specific clients and/or treat specific mental disorders. The following acronyms represent some common therapy modalities:
- ACT: Acceptance and commitment therapy — psychotherapy (or talk therapy) approach focused on acceptance of difficult thoughts and emotions and commitment to making changes that align with personal values.
- CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy — goal-oriented talk therapy focused on changing unhelpful or unhealthy ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
- DBT: Dialectical behavior therapy — talk therapy method that combines CBT techniques and mindfulness practices to improve emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships.
- EFT: Emotion-focused therapy — short-term therapy focused on understanding and improving interpersonal communication and relationships.
- EMDR: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy — psychotherapy method that uses guided instructions and eye movements to help process and heal from traumatic memories.
- IBP: Integrative body psychotherapy — holistic approach to therapy that focuses on the interconnection of the mind, body, and spirit to promote wellbeing.
- PCT: Person-centered therapy — psychotherapy approach in which therapists act as a nonjudgmental facilitator, while clients take the lead in discovering their own solutions.
