By Christy Maeder, LCSW and Nooshi Ghasedi, MA
The mental health world is so full of abbreviations that it can sometimes feel like learning a new language. Whether you’re navigating therapy, reading about treatment options, or filling out forms, acronyms like EMDR, PTSD, and LPC pop up everywhere. We know this can be confusing, so we created a quick reference to help break it all down. This guide is here to make the language of mental health more understandable and less intimidating—because everyone deserves to feel informed and empowered when it comes to their care.
- Diagnostic & Clinical Terms
- DSM – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
- ICD – International Classification of Diseases
- MDD – Major Depressive Disorder
- GAD – Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- OCD – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- ADHD – Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- BPD – Borderline Personality Disorder
- ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder
- PDD – Persistent Depressive Disorder
- SUD – Substance Use Disorder
- ED – Eating Disorder
- BP – Bipolar Disorder
- Therapeutic Approaches
- CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- DBT – Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- ACT – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
- IFS – Internal Family Systems
- TF-CBT – Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- MBCT – Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
- MI – Motivational Interviewing
- PE – Prolonged Exposure (for PTSD)
- Assessment Tools
- PHQ-9 – Patient Health Questionnaire-9
- GAD-7 – Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale
- ACES – Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale
- MMPI – Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
- BAI – Beck Anxiety Inventory
- BDI-II – Beck Depression Inventory II
- SCID – Structured Clinical Interview for DSM
- PCL-5 – Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Measurement for DSM-5
- Children’s Mental Health Acronyms
- IEP – Individualized Education Program
- 504 Plan – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (accommodations in school)
- FBA – Functional Behavioral Assessment
- BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan
- IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- SEL – Social and Emotional Learning
- LRE – Least Restrictive Environment
- RTI – Response to Intervention
- PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- FTF – Face-to-Face (sessions, often used for children)
- PCIT – Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
- PMT – Parent Management Training
- DYAD – Dyadic therapy (child and caregiver)
- PANS/PANDAS – Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome / Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections
- DD – Developmental Delay
- SPD – Sensory Processing Disorder
- Licensure & Professional Terms
- LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- LMFT – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- LPC/LPCC – Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- PsyD – Doctor of Psychology
- MSW – Master of Social Work
- Systems & Legal Terms
- EHR – Electronic Health Record
- HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- CPS – Child Protective Services
- DCFS – Department of Children and Family Services
- GAL – Guardian ad Litem
- IEP – Individualized Education Program
- FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Crisis & Suicide Prevention
- QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer
- C-SSRS – Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
- NSSI – Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
- LGBTQIA+ and Cultural Terms
- LGBTQIA+ – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (and others)
- BIPOC – Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- DEI – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
SOGIE – Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression
