While professionals understand exactly what different credentials mean, the general public does not.  The following is a listing to help you understand the differences in licensure and what that might mean in terms of meeting your needs.

M.A., M.S., M.Ed. – The academic graduate degree; Master of Art’s, Master of Science, Master of Education. Many therapists have more than one master’s degree. This degree is different from the state license to practice.

LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor  - a graduate level prescribed course of study originating out of school counseling and Rehabilitation Studies.

LPC-A – Licenced Professional Counselor’s at the Associate level. Associate level practitioners may not bill insurance companies as an independent third party practitioner.

LMFT – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist  - a graduate course of study specifying work with families and married couples.

MFTA – Marriage and Family Therapy Associate - Associate level practitioners may not bill insurance companies as an independent third part practitioner.

LCSW – Licensed Social Workers – a graduate course of study specifying work in social systems, child welfare, and healthcare.

ACS – Approved Clinical Supervisor (for LPCs)

LPCS  – Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor

CAS – Certified Addiction Specialist

CRC – Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, a Substance Abuse Specialty

Other certifications are often included in a therapist title.   When these appear, your therapist has received additional training and recognition in a specialty.  The primary license stays the same.

Insurance Implications

Social Workers have a discipline with a long history.  As such they are accepted on some panels that other graduate level licenses may not be represented.  LCSWs are the only graduate level discipline accepted by Medicare.

The following therapists are Preferred Providers on the various Insurance Panels: 

Medicare:  Joanne Koster, David Hough
Medicaid:  Maggie Yankov, Bryan Crisp, Beverly Bearden, Joanne Koster, Pam Sides, Kim Harris
BCBS and Medcost (PCMH hospital):  Maggie Yankov, Bryan Crisp, Pam Sides
Aetna:  Maggie Yankov, Pam Sides
Tricare:  Maggie Yankov, Bryan Crisp,  Pam Sides, Kim Harris
Cigna/United Behavioral Health:   Pam Sides