Articles:

(mostly all) Counseling related Acronyms and Abbreviations

(Plus Acronyms related to client mental or physical problems)



O/P/Q

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OFMHS = The Office of Forensic Mental Health Services, (Washington)
part of the Behavioral Health Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services. It is responsible for the leadership and management of Washington’s adult forensic mental health care system."
(https://www.dshs.wa.gov/bha/office-forensic-mental-health-services)

 

OPT = Optional Practical Training is a benefit available to international students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in, or completing, a degree program in the United States. This employment can be used: Before completion of studies during an annual vacation or leave term. After completion of studies.  OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Living in the U.S. So you’ve got Because there are so many courses and places to study in the United States, the F-1 visa has a pretty broad application but also some very clear rules. The first is that you have to be coming to the United States with the intent to temporarily study. In other words, this is not an immigrant visa.

 

OSPI = Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (Washington State)

 

OT = Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapy (OT) is the use of assessment and treatment to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of people with a physical, mental, or cognitive disorder. 

 

OTR = Occupational Therapist Registered
Occupational therapy (OT) is the use of assessment and treatment to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of people with a physical, mental, or cognitive disorder. 
 

OTR/L = Occupational Therapist Licensed
Occupational therapy (OT) is the use of assessment and treatment to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of people with a physical, mental, or cognitive disorder. 

 

OUD = Opioid Use Disorder

 

PACT = Patient Aligned Care Team 
In the Veterans Assistance patient care services, "PACT is the cornerstone of the New Models of Care initiative that is intended to transform the way Veterans receive care. PACT assists VHA in transforming Veterans' care by providing patient-driven, proactive, personalized, team-based care focused on wellness and disease prevention resulting in improvements in Veteran satisfaction, improved healthcare outcomes, and costs. The PACT model is built on the well-known concept of the patient-centered medical home staffed by high-functioning teams.

 

PANDAS = Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infection.

 

PANS = Post-infectious Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, "that means when an infection develops in the body, the immune system sends a misdirected immune response to the brain, causing inflammation in the areas of the brain responsible for emotions, behavior, sleep and impulse control," producing a long list of neuropsychiatric symptoms."

 

PBH = Professional Board of Hypnotherapy, Inc.
A voluntary membership organization and association designed for the purpose of networking, education, and promotion of the art and science of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

 

PCCC = Post-COVID Care Centers 
This is a recent entry, and only one of a number of medically related PCCC acronyms.

 

PCCA - Pierce County Counselors Association
A professional networking association for mental health counselors in Pierce County, Washington.

 

PCDP-PC = Personal Career Development Profile for Professional Counselors
16PF® Questionnaire: evaluates both normal and pathology-oriented personality making it a valuable tool in general counseling, career counseling, treatment planning, forensic evaluation, and more. The NBCC and IPAT, Inc. joined forces to to introduce career and psychological assessment instruments that are tailored to the needs of professional counselors.

 

PCE or PCEC = Psychological Continuing Education Credit
Courses approved by an authorized psychological association as meeting the criteria for Psychological Continuing Education Credit. (Similar to CEU.)

 

PFLAG = PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. In 2014, the organization officially changed its name from "Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays" to, simply, PFLAG. There have been "two unanimous decisions by the Washington State Supreme Court that the Constitution does not grant a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, the ACLU of Washington said." Associated Press 11-20-2021.
 

PhD = Doctor of Philosophy (degree)

 

PHI = Protected Health Information
What is "protected health information" (PHI) and "electronic protected health information" (ePHI) under HIPAA?

 

PNSJA = Pacific Northwest Society of Jungian Analysts
A group of licensed mental health professionals who have received specialized training in Analytical Psychology and are Certified as Jungian Analysts. The PNSJA is a member society of the International Association of Analytical Psychologists (IAAP).

 

POC = often used for " Person of color," or " People of color." 
Commonly used in America to refer to individuals with skin tones that differ from white Caucasians. The acronym is often used online and in text messages when describing the experience of a member of a minority group. 

 

PPE = personal protective equipment. (masks, etc)
 

PREA = Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003
Prevention & Reporting [Federal law and WA. DOC Policy 490.800 "specifies that inmates, visitors, inmate family members/associates, and other community members can report: Allegations of sexual misconduct, Retaliation of inmates or staff for reporting sexual misconduct, and/or Staff actions or neglect that may have contributed to an incident of sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct under this law includes: Inmate-on-inmate sexual assault and abuse Staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct (sexual/inappropriate relationships with inmates), Inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual harassment." "The Department of Correction's (DOC) policies regarding sexual misconduct apply to all inmates, both incarcerated in a prison or work release facility and on community supervision. They also apply to employees, contractors, and volunteers." Go to: (www.doc.wa.gov/corrections/prea/default.htm) to Report Sexual Misconduct at any Washington State correctional facility.

 

PSAS = Puget Sound Adlerian Society
A affiliate of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology. PSAS publishes a quarterly Parenting Calendar that listings parenting courses, support groups, and leaders' training, and offers Sanity Circus course for parents, teachers, and counselors in cooperation with local PTAs and the Seattle Council PTSA.

 

PSGPN = Puget Sound Group Psychotherapy Network
The Puget Sound Group Psychotherapy Network supports excellence in the practice of group psychotherapy by presenting professional education and training programs. We promote the value and awareness of group psychotherapy by providing referral sources to the public and to other health care providers.

 

PSHCS = Puget Sound Heath Care System (VA)

 

PsyaD = Doctor of Psychoanalysis (degree)

 

PsyD= Doctor of Psychology degree

 

PTSD = Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
A mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.

If it's been longer than a few months and you're still having symptoms--trouble sleeping, nightmares, flash-back--you may have PTSD. For some people, PTSD symptoms may start later on, or they may come and go over time.

PTSD is not a sign of weakness. A number of factors, not under that person's control, can increase the chance that someone will have PTSD. Having a very intense or long-lasting traumatic event or getting injured during the event can make it more likely that a person will develop PTSD.

 

QCDC = Qualified Chemical Dependency Counselor
This is an obsolete designation formerly used to identify a counselor who met all the basic requirements to work as an alcohol or drug counselor under Washington State laws.

 

QCSW = Qualified Clinical Social Worker
The QCSW is recognition of those social workers who have met the National Association of Social Workers’ standards of knowledge, skill and experience in clinical social work practice and who have agreed to abide by the NASW standards of ethics and education.

 

QHP = a Qualified Health Plan, must provide the essential health benefits, follow limits on lower out-of-pocket costs, and meet other requirements;  include the 10 essential health benefits, such as doctor visits, prescription drugs, lab tests, preventive and mental health services. See:  Washington Healthplanfinder.

 

SEE ALSO:
Mental Health Articles
How Drugs and Alcohol Affect the Brain and Body
Race Relations Articles

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