Have you ever caught yourself staring at someone’s name and scratching your head at all the letters behind it? You’re looking for a counselor, and now all these letters have you confused? Fortunately for you, that’s just what we are here to talk about today. Let’s take a look at what all these letters mean for licensed counselors.
Acronyms Explained
To keep it simple, we are going to list the credentials here with their explanation.
- LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor. This requires a Master’s Degree and post-graduate training in face-to-face psychotherapy of at least 1,500 hours. You’ll find this designation in 24 states.
- LMHC – Licensed Mental Health Counselor. This also requires a Master’s Degree, post-graduate clinical work and supervised clinical hours. However, the LMHC designation exists in only seven states.
- NCC – National Certified Counselor. Again, a Master’s Degree, post-graduate clinical work and supervised course work is required to earn this designation. Additionally, this designation represents the successful completion of a national exam and is a nationally recognised credential.
- RPT – Registered Child Therapist. In addition to obtaining a Master’s Degree, extensive additional training is required as well as supervised clinical work in child therapy.
There are some other speciality credentials you may see which mean a counselor has additional training in another area, but those are less common.
What If The Counselor Has No Credentials?
If there are no credentials following the counselor’s name, but they are associated with a reputable counseling office, they are probably an Associate Licensed Counselor. They must log 3,000 hours of supervised counseling to earn their Licensed Professional Counselor designation. All have a Master’s degree in counseling from a qualified college or university. They are completely qualified, however Alabama counseling licensure requirements are strict in that they must complete not only passing the National Counselor Examination, but also the Master’s degree and experience under an LPC Supervisor.
Qualified Therapists at Garrett Counseling
With decades of experience and training, you can rest assured that the licensed counselors at Garrett Counseling have what it takes for you and your family to receive the optimal level of care you deserve. Don’t trust your mental health to just anyone. Choose Garrett where our team of professionals has the skill, experience, compassion, and training that ensures optimal mental health care. Contact us today here, or call (256) 239-5662 today.