(mostly all) Counseling related Acronyms and Abbreviations
J/K/L
JAOC = Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling
A publication.of the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors.
JBRF = The Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation
JBRF is a 501(c)(3) organization that actively promotes and supports scientific research focused on the cause of and treatments for bipolar disorder in children. We are the first and only non-profit foundation dedicated solely to promoting research to identify the source of early-onset bipolar disorder.
JCAHO = Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.
JD = Doctor of Jurisprudence
A university law degree. (Counselors come from all kinds of degree backgrounds. The variety in training preparation and background experience can provide unique strengths for specific types of counseling situations.)
KCSARC = King County Sexual Assault Resource Center's
KCSARC's purpose is to alleviate, as much as possible, the trauma of sexual assault for victims and their families. Our mission is to give voice to victims, their families, and the community; create change in beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors about violence; and instill courage for people to speak out about sexual assault.
KBG = Knowledge-Based Governance
Developed by Glen Tecker, advocates periodic examination of an organization's governance structure to determine whether current approach fits the needs of the membership and promotes forward movement. [ ACA, Counseling Today, March 2003].
LASW = Licensed Advanced Social Worker
Social workers who practice in schools, hospitals, agencies, etc. Also see: LICSW. "Advanced social work" means the application of social work theory and methods including emotional and bio-psycho-social assessment, psychotherapy under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker, case management, consultation, advocacy, counseling, and community organization. [Thanks to Betty Moe, DOH]
LAT = Living Alone Together
LAT couples in old age consider their relationship to be a legitimate arrangement rather than a stepping stone to marriage or cohabitation. LAT relations often are intentional and enduring. Expressions such as "dating" and "going steady" may not fit for these couples and may unintentionally diminish their significance and commitment to one another. LAT allows couples in old age to try on different roles and rules that might not be possible in traditional living patterns. Thus, one does not have to accommodate the other persons' ideal way of living. (extracted from Family Therapy Magazine, Sept/Oct 2020.)
LGBTQ+ = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning, with the + denoting everything along the gender and sexuality spectrum.
LGBTQIA+ = June is National LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Somewhat recently, the Pride acronym has adopted more letters. Many sources now refer to the LGBTQIA+ community, which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. While some of those words are often discussed, others may need some further explanation. We turned to Laurel A. Beck, PhD, Senior Instructor in CU Denver’s Department of Integrative Biology to explain the “I” in LGBTQIA+.
First things first. One aspect that makes all the letters in LGBTQ+ difficult for some people to understand is the difference between sex and gender.
Beck, who researches endocrinology, reiterates this difference: “While sex and gender are terms that are often used interchangeably by people, they really do mean different things. Sex is all about the chromosomes, organs, and external genitalia. Gender is a totally separate spectrum from sex; it’s more about how a person feels they best align with sociobehavioral norms or rules for each gender type.”
An intersex person is born with a mix of female and male anatomy. “The chromosomes may not align with typical male or female sex organs and structures, or the sex organs and structures may fall somewhere in between typical male and female presentations,” Beck explains. Intersex people (once referred to as hermaphrodites—a term that is no longer acceptable because it stigmatizes people with intersex and their families) “fall somewhere in between the poles of female and male, through genetic or hormonal differences in development,” she said.
Intersex individuals exist on a spectrum of sex and may have internal and/or external biological characteristics of sex. It is estimated that 1.7% of people are born intersex, which is relatively common when compared to 0.3% chance of having identical twins (percentage is based on a systematic review of medical literature). However, many societies do not talk about intersex people. This may be because, culturally and historically, societies have held a binary view of sex.
Sex relates to a person’s anatomy, while gender refers to a person’s self-identified feeling of being male, female, or a combination.
-----From June 30th 2020, Denver News
LBLT = Life-Between-Lives Therapist
A certification by the National Association of Transpersonal Hypnotherapists. Life-between-lives therapy was founded by Michael Newton, PhD, who "is considered a pioneer in uncovering the mysteries about life after death through the use of Spiritual Regression."
L & I = Washington State Department of Labor and Indusrties
L&I regional offices can still help you by phone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (except state holidays). Use the phone number for your closest regional office, or you can call the Office of Information and Assistance at 360-902-5800. [https://www.lni.wa.gov/]
LICSW = Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
These are masters-level clinical social workers with advanced experience who have met state requirements for licensure in Washington State and are overseen by the Washington State Department of Health.
LMFT = Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
These are masters-level marriage and family therapists with advanced experience who have met state requirements for licensure in Washington State and are overseen by the Washington State Department of Health.
LMFTA = Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate
Designates a Counselor who has completed the Masters Degree program and is working, under approved supervision, toward a marriage and family therapist license.
LMHC = Licensed Mental Health Counselor
These are masters-level mental health counselors with advanced experience who have met state requirements for licensure in Washington State and are overseen by the Washington State Department of Health.
LMHCA = Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Designates a Counselor who has completed the Masters Degree program and is working under approved supervision toward a mental health counselor license.
LSWA-A or LSWAA = Licensed Social Work Associate – Advanced
Designates a Social Worker who has completed the Masters Degree program and is working under approved supervision toward a social work advanced license [Washington State 2009].
LSWA-IC or LSWAIC = Licensed Social Work Associate – Independent Clinical
Designates a Social Worker who has completed the Masters Degree program and is working under approved supervision toward a social work independent clinical license [Washington State 2009].
SEE ALSO:
Mental Health Articles
How Drugs and Alcohol Affect the Brain and Body
Race Relations Articles
