Therapists

In California, therapists are licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Visit the BBS website for information about licensing and finding a therapist.

Licensing acronyms:

  • AMFT = Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (license pending, working under supervision)
  • ASW = Associate Clinical Social Worker (license pending, working under supervision)
  • LCSW = Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • LPCC = Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
  • LMFT = Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
  • MSW = Master's in Social Work
  • PhD (in Clinical Psychology) = doctorate with research/academic focus
  • PsyD (in Clinical Psychology) = doctorate with clinical focus
  • MD = Doctorate in Medicine with Psychiatric residency

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