Abbreviations can be confusing and one never knows what to expect from a therapist in terms of their approach, background and conceptual models upon which they are working. Maybe the key questions in a potential client’s mind is: What do I need? Where can I find help?
Unpacking the therapy jargon is the start of the journey and this is where a little research and the use of online therapy directories can help.
Examples of this alphabet soup include CBT. CBH, ACT, CAT, CPT, EFT, DBT, EMDR, MBCT, PCT, REBT, CET, ART, EAP, IBP and PCIT etc. Each therapy tradition will have its own body of research literature, professional organization, history and leading pioneers. Some will be very theoretical, others evidence based, some short term others longer term involving deep dives into the human psyche.
These medical abbreviation lists can be overwhelming as is the list of mental health conditions therapists may attempt to address including, SAD, TBI, PSTD, OCD, MDD, GAD, ED,DMDD, BPD, BD, ASD,APD etc Mental health practitioners use two major reference works for defining and diagnosing client’s conditions, one American and the other published by the World Health Organization (WHO)
(1) DSM-5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)
(2) The ICD-10 or 11 International Classification of Diseases (ICD) by the World Health Organization. The reference book covers the classification of all general health, mental health, and Behavioral disorders
Most medical libraries will have copies of these in their reference section.