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Psychiatrist/MD: A psychiatrist attends four years of medical school and receives an MD degree. He/she then goes on for four additional years of training in a residency program to become a psychiatrist. After a psychiatrist graduates from their residency program they will often take a series of examinations to become board certified. A board certification means that these doctors have passed rigorous examinations which cover all areas of psychiatry. A psychiatrist can take additional special training in a particular area. Examples of this include child psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. It is also possible to become board certified in a sub-specialty area. To do this a doctor must first have a general board certification. Psychiatrists are also trained to do psychotherapy and in addition, since they are physicians, they can prescribe medication.
Social Worker/MSW/LCSW/ACSW: Most Social Workers who do psychotherapy have a Master’s Degree in Social Work which is designated as MSW. When a Social Worker is licensed to do psychotherapy they will have the designation LCSW after their name. ACSW is another accreditation signifying that they have been credentialed by the Academy of Clinical Social Workers.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor/LCPC: These therapists have a Master’s Degree in Psychology and have passed a licensing exam which allows them to use the initials LCPC after their names.
Clinical Psychologist/PhD/PsyD: A Clinical Psychologist has a Doctorate Degree. After their Doctorate Degree they are required to do a one year APA approved clinical internship and take a rigorous exam before they can use the title Clinical Psychologist. Clinical Psychologists are extensively trained in psychotherapy techniques. They also have the ability to administer and interpret psychological testing.
CADC: These letters stand for Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. A person with a CADC certification has a certificate stating that they have had required training in drug and alcohol treatment. In addition an internship and licensing examination are required. There are no special degree requirements. Clinicians with a LCSW or a LCPC license will sometimes also obtain a CADC certification if they have a strong interest in treating clients with alcohol or drug problems. Psychiatrists that are interested in obtaining special certification in drug or alcohol treatment do not get a CADC. Instead, they will become board certified in addiction psychiatry or get ASAM certification.
Dietician/RD/LD: A dietician is an individual who has a degree in nutrition. In addition, dieticians who work in therapy settings have a Master’s Degree in that area. LD refers to a Licensed Dietician where RD refers to a Registered Dietician which signifies that the dietician has passed a national examination. Highly trained dieticians are an integral part of the treatment team when food or eating problems are an issue.
