speech and language therapist letters after name

What do the letters (MA, CCC-SLP) after your name mean?

M.A. is an abbreviation for master of arts. M.S. is an abbreviation for master of sciences. Both graduate degrees have been used for students of Communication Disorders depending on the university attended and the year.

C.C.C. is an abbreviation for Certificate of Clinical Competence. Speech pathologists that have passed a national exam and did a clinical fellowship year with proper accreditation from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association will have those letters after their name.

S.L.P is an abbreviation for Speech-Language Pathologist, a certification awarded by the Americah Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Whats your Grief

Therapist Credentials: What do all those letters mean?

For Professionals / For Professionals : Eleanor Haley

For further articles on these topics:

Sometimes I feel like I need a decoder ring to understand therapist credentials.  You too?  Seriously, who knew?

Should you even care about all those letters?  Are they important?  Is it just a way to make therapists feel important?  Good questions!  Basically, those letters are just identifiers to let you know what kind of education, license, and certifications a therapist has.  This is one factor you may choose to take into consideration when searching for the mental health professional who's right for you.

A little while ago Litsa put together a super helpful guide for understanding mental health credentials and we're posting it here for you to use as a reference.  If you are looking for a therapist or counselor, have previously searched for one, or are open to the possibility of some day seeing one, this post should prove helpful.  Though this is not an exhaustive list,  it should be a pretty good place to start with knowing what those letters mean.

Psychiatrist

MD (they will have Dr. before their name)

Training:  Medical School

Quick tips:  In an outpatient setting psychiatrists typically focus on medication management, and often work with another practitioner (below) who handles the therapy. 

Psychologist: Doctorate Level

PhD, PsyD, EdD (they will also have Dr. before their name)

Training:  completion of a PhD, PsyD, or EdD program in psychology.  All degrees require clinical field experience and dissertations, though a PsyD or EdD is typically more clinically focused, while a PhD is more research focused.

Quick tips:  Though PhDs are often doing research, some offer therapy and private practice.  Many of these individuals will have a very specific area of interest or expertise, which can be great if their interest matches your needs!  They cannot prescribe medications, but may work with a psychiatrist who does medication management.

Find a psychologist here:  https://locator.apa.org/

Psychologist: Masters Level

MA, MS, LGPC, LCPC

Training : completion of a masters program in psychology, counseling psychology, mental health counseling, or a closely related field.  Those with an “L” have completed licensure requirements which may involve state board exams and supervision hours.

Quick tips:  These practitioners can diagnose, offer counseling, and many practice a range of different therapeutic approaches.  They may have additional certifications based on their specific area of interest or experience (even more letters after their name).  They cannot prescribe medications, but may work with a psychiatrist who does medication management.

Social Worker

MSW, LGSW, LCSW, LMSW, LCSW-C, LISW, LSW (and probably more, as this varies depending on state license, but will always involve an “SW”)

Training : completion of a masters program in clinical social work.  Those with an “L” have completed licensure requirements which may involve state board exams and supervision hours.

Quick tips : These practitioners can diagnose, offer counseling, and many practice a range of different therapeutic approaches.  They may have additional certifications based on their specific area of interest or experience (even more letters after their name).  They cannot prescribe medications, but may work with a psychiatrist who does medication management.

Find a social worker here:  https://www.helppro.com/

Marriage and Family Therapist

MA, MFT, LMFT, LCMFT

Training:  completion of a masters program in Marriage and Family Therapy.  Those with an “L” have completed licensure requirements which may involve state board exams and supervision hours.

Find an MFT here:  www.therapistloctator.net

Pastoral Counseling

MA, CCPT, CpastC, NCPC, NCCA

Training:  completion of a masters program in Pastoral Counseling or Pastoral Therapy.  These programs typically involve a combination of coursework in therapeutic approaches and clinical counseling skills in combination with theology, spiritual counseling, and pastoral care/chaplaincy. 

Quick tips:  This is a specific degree program that differentiates a pastoral counselor from a priest, pastor, or clergy person who may provide informal spiritual support. These practitioners can offer licensed counseling services, and many practice a range of different therapeutic approaches.  Many pastoral counselors work in hospital or hospice chaplaincy, in ministry, institutions of higher education, or individual clinical practice. 

Some professionals have their advanced degrees, then they get even more letters.  These are typically for certifications obtained through a particular accreditation body or through advanced training and/or testing in a specific clinical area.   If your counselor has addition certifications, ask about it.  A quick google search should give your more information about the specific certification program if you are interested.

Please keep in mind, what type of education, license, and certification they have is less likely to impact whether they are a good fit for you as what kind of therapy they practice and their personality.  Click here to learn about what types of therapy people practice.  If you aren't happy with your progress in therapy, let your therapist know.  Give it a few visits, but if it clearly isn't a good fit,  find someone new.  Like any other human relationship, sometimes people just are not a match!

Subscribe to Whats Your Grief for more helpful information about seeking out counselors and therapists.  

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48 comments on "therapist credentials: what do all those letters mean".

Aurea Baig   March 6, 2023 at 9:32 am Reply

Hello. Thank you very much for the great articleinformation! Loveappreciate to read more about this subject!

Danial   November 26, 2022 at 11:49 am Reply

Thanks so much for your question! It is definitely never too late to pursue a career as a counselor, plus there’s an extremely high demand for counselors at the moment.

No matter which issues you would like to help clients deal with, most aspiring therapists start with a regular Bachelor’s degree in Psychology which is often followed by a Master’s degree. Depending on where you live, this education can take 3-6 years. Some countries may not require a Master’s degree but rather specific therapist training. Once you have completed your education, you can start specializing in different niches such as Anger Management or Marriage Counseling.

I hope this helps! Best of luck 🙂

-Caroline | Community Manager

Olivia S   October 14, 2022 at 1:07 pm Reply

Thank you for explaining more about the kind of training for a psychiatrist. My daughter is looking for someone to help her with her depression. I’ll have to share this with her so she it can help her figure out what would be best for her (URL removed per site guidelines)

Cami   February 15, 2022 at 12:08 pm Reply

What does the initials LMC after a therapist name mean?

Litsa   July 16, 2022 at 8:33 pm Reply

I’m not familiar with this credential and can’t find anything online, so your best bet would be to ask them

jess   September 22, 2022 at 12:34 am Reply

Licensed Marriage Counselor – typically old school for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Olivia Smart   November 22, 2021 at 3:20 pm Reply

Thank you for explaining that those with an “L” have completed the licensure requirements for Marriage and Family Therapy. My friend is thinking about going to a marriage counsellor to help with her and her husband’s relationship. I’ll be sure to pass this on so that she can check to see if it’s there when they meet her.

David bell   October 25, 2020 at 1:48 am Reply

What is NLP stand for and IMS psychologist the full words

Brit   July 24, 2021 at 7:55 pm Reply

Neurolinguistic Practitioner (or possibly “psychologist or psychotherapist”).

Susan Bryan   June 25, 2020 at 10:30 am Reply

Please add LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor to your list!

Thanks, Susan, LPC – Hospice Bereavement Coordinator/Counselor

Bruce mcclay   June 19, 2020 at 10:00 am Reply

what do theses letter after a name mean MC MDiv RP

Ben Russ   May 15, 2020 at 3:36 am Reply

Awesome! Thanks for the great article. Im a kind of confused of some abbreviations.

Priya Mathew   January 30, 2020 at 1:45 pm Reply

Hi, I know this was mentioned in a previous comment but please add LPC and LPC-Interns Counselors to your list! I think including it under psychology could lead to a lot of confusion for individuals without a clinical background. Thank you!

shafaq Afroz   January 21, 2020 at 4:38 am Reply

Hi, it is very great article but What does the initials behind a therapist name mean?

KT   November 16, 2019 at 4:40 pm Reply

My new therapist has the letters BM after her name. What does that mean?

Jim   September 19, 2019 at 2:01 pm Reply

Curious? Why are there no Licensed Professional Counselor or counselor credentials presented?

Eleanor Haley   September 19, 2019 at 2:10 pm Reply

There are – both pastoral counselors in that section, and under counseling psychology, whi are professional counselors. Because names vary state to state we don’t list every exact variation, but we mention LCPCs specifically and pastoral, who fall under the professional counseling boards.

mel   August 7, 2019 at 12:17 pm Reply

What does MCP mean after a counselor’s name?

J   February 12, 2021 at 8:52 am Reply

MCP is Master of Counselling Psychology or Master of Clinical Psychology depending on your region.

dunazee   July 14, 2019 at 11:57 am Reply

I posted before proofing. What I meant to say was this for the second paragraph:

So as an example, the name of a female chiropractor who is also a dentist might look like this: “Dr. Jane Jones, D.C., D.D.S.” A male who is a lawyer and the second in his family with the same first name might be “Mr. John Smith, Jr., Esq.”

(Grammar counts: “Let’s eat, Grandma!” is not the same as “Let’s eat Grandma!”)

Lauren   June 21, 2019 at 11:01 am Reply

What does SASA stand for?? I’ve googled everywhere

mel   August 7, 2019 at 12:18 pm Reply

Spousal Abuse Sexual Assault? What is the context in which this acronym is used?

Colleen   May 8, 2019 at 11:05 pm Reply

I am a LMHC in NY. I am applying for LPC in Texas. I am a bit confused on application form, asking my Title before my name and asked for Suffix after my name, what would Title and Suffix refer to, thanks

Mel LaBelle III   September 10, 2019 at 12:53 pm Reply

Title is the abbreviation of what you are referred to: Dr. / Ms. / Mrs. / Mr. / Mz. Suffix is an abbreviation of what you may have at the end of your name: Jr. / III / IV

Patrick Morris   April 15, 2019 at 7:09 am Reply

Thank you to whoever published this website. I found it helpful to understand a number of acronyms that I did not know or had yet to hear. I am not a therapist – I am a patient. I believe all information written/discussed above is meant to be helpful. However, even having been raised by a parent with an MD and having had the fortune to speak with many MDs, PhDs, MAs, LCPCs (etc.) I still found some of the information to be a little confusing. I apologize for not having any specific question for you to answer. I just wanted to alert you that a lot of patients/people in need may visit this site looking for exact recommendations based on advice from a misinformed friend/coworker/spouse and may not get past the clinical information to discover the person that can help them. People look for “answers” (a poor term for people seeking therapy as there may be no actual answer in the end) on the internet and I would hope that this site would at least make one of its priorities to aid potential patients in finding relief.

Thank you for your time,

Kaylene   December 10, 2018 at 3:31 am Reply

For an instance you might notice a player having dropped back or slump who’s not assured or retaining a weakened hand, while a person who’s very heedful and rests construct may represent a strong hand.

Winston Jones   October 15, 2018 at 1:52 pm Reply

Can you tell me what the letters {RRE} stand for after a person’s name please Regards W Jones

Ali   September 18, 2018 at 12:21 am Reply

I have a quick question… I graduated from NCU with my Masters of Art in Marriage and Family Therapy but I am not licensed. What would my credentials be since I am not licensed? Would it be Name, MA, MFT? Or just Name, MA? I’m lost and don’t know what to put on my business card for work. Thanks for your help!

James   May 7, 2019 at 6:13 pm Reply

You can put your name, MA. If you register for licensure you may be able to put AMFT (Associate Marriage & Family Therapist), depending on your state. I hope this helps.

Lynette Brooks   August 22, 2018 at 8:10 pm Reply

What does the A.S. behind LCPC mean?

Karen   July 29, 2018 at 3:28 pm Reply

What does the initials behind a therapist name mean? ACMHC. He also has MC (Masters of Counseling) and DC( Doctor of Chiropractor)

Jason Michael ANDREWS   May 1, 2018 at 1:46 pm Reply

This is terrible misinformation. Therapy generally refers to a licensed counselor and while each state has different titles they constitute a huge bulk of “therapists”. they are not psychologist, and in fact are prohibited from using the word psychologist. They are licensed by a different board than psychologist, they have different educational classes and requirements. The APA does not recognize counseling unless it’s specially counseling psychology. Therefore if you want to provide quality information you need to add a category called professional counselor. Lac lpc nce nbcc etc

Monica Turner   April 13, 2018 at 3:52 pm Reply

I have two masters degree, one is in Organization Development and the other is in Social Work. I also have my license as a master level social worker. What is everyone thoughts on me putting MS, LMSW has my credentials?

Myna   December 21, 2017 at 3:03 am Reply

Where does an ED.S. fit in?

HJameson   August 11, 2016 at 1:17 pm Reply

I agree you forgot an entire group of therapists/counselors. If you are from California, it makes sense because they didn’t have a license like this until the law passed in 2009. Those licenses are: LPCC, LPC, LMHC, to include just a few, every state unfortunately does it differently and it is very confusing. These licensees tend to have Master’s degrees in Clinica or Counseling psychology have gone through a practicum and sometimes a paid infers hip. They also have to work supervised for several years in order to obtain their license not to mention pass exams. Just wanted you to know.

Eleanor   August 11, 2016 at 1:22 pm Reply

I believe what you’re referring to are therapists/counselors that would fall under the “Psychologist: Masters Level” listed above. In our state they are LCPC’s but as you indicated they can have different titles in different states. Obviously it’s impossible for us to list them all, but perhaps we could add a footnote indicating they have different titles in different states.

Kelly   October 30, 2018 at 2:32 pm

Would it really be that hard to list them all? There’s only 50 states and that would provide correct information to those who are looking for it.

Marty Tousley @GriefHealing   October 25, 2014 at 2:14 pm Reply

I think it’s also important to note that not every psychiatrist or psychotherapist is educated, trained and experienced in death, dying and bereavement. Grief therapy and grief counseling are specialties in and of themselves, beyond a graduate or doctorate degree. When seeking therapy or counseling specifically aimed at grief, consumers are wise to look for professionals who are experienced and skilled in that particular field, and preferably certified by a national organization such as the Association for Death Education and Counselors. See “Seeing A Specialist in Grief Counseling: Does It Matter?” https://j.mp/Rx6nI0

Litsa   October 25, 2014 at 2:19 pm Reply

Agreed Marty! Thanks for bringing up that fantastic point – no matter what the credentials of the counselor you choose, finding someone who knows grief is crucial.

Anike Adekoya   October 25, 2014 at 1:50 pm Reply

Thank you for this post. A few notes: 1) This page currently lists an incorrect link to the MFT directory. It should be: therapistlocator.net

2) Commenter Matt is misinformed: MFTs are well-trained and cleared to diagnose mental health issues. Where there are questions beyond our scope, MFTs are encouraged to seek consultation (e.g., medical).

3) Our education/licensure requirements are especially stringent within the mental health community. As a Master’s level MFT (there are also doctoral MFTs), I graduated with far more than the minimum COAMFTE-required 500 hours of direct client contact in addition to numerous hours of indirect/administrative work (not all mental health fields have to meet this standard). I had several internships spanning more than two years. I taught in the behavioral sciences department for the duration of my program. I (co)wrote several publishable research papers, including a quantitative thesis.

I do not say all of this to boast or be argumentative; my story is not unique among MFTs, and that is the point. In any field, there is good, bad, and in-between, but it seems that most MFTs are competent practitioners (and/or researchers) dedicated to their clientele.

Below is a link to information from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. It is important for consumers to be informed about the education/training of their practitioners.

http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/consumer_updates/marriage_and_family_therapists.aspx

Respectfully, Anike

Litsa   October 25, 2014 at 2:33 pm Reply

The link I have for MFTs in the post above is therapistlocator.net, in the section about MFTs. If there is somewhere else you saw a different link please let me know.

I believe what we say about MFTs in the above post is accurate and consistent with what you describe, but thanks for your clarification in response to the other comment.

I will echo what Marty said in her comment, which is that finding someone experienced in grief counseling specifically is one of the most important things. And of course, like dating, finding the person who is the right fit for you!

Matt   March 18, 2014 at 7:19 pm Reply

There are several “minor” issues I would like to bring up. 1) A Psychiatrist can also be a DO, which is similar to a MD. A psychiatrist can legally do therapy, but most do not. 2) Yes, experimental psychologists do typically conduct research (they all have a PhD), but the majority of clinical psychologists, rather a PhD or other will primarily focus on clinical work. 3) There is only one state (to my knowledge) that license a clinician as a psychologist at the master level. They are typically psychological associates/practitioners if that state offers a license at the masters level. 4) You totally forgot about licensed counselors- those individuals with master degrees in mental health counseling. This will be one of the biggest “game player” in the field of grief counseling (that is a licensed clinician). These clinicians can diagnose, treat, and assess patients- for the most part, scope can differ among states. 5) Another one you should be aware of is Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. These are advanced RN’s with master degrees in psych nursing or MSN with post-grad certificates in psych nursing. They are licensed to prescribe medications and are licensed (while most do not) to render therapy. 6) In terms of grief counseling, most individuals will not need the service of a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, and a MFT that ONLY has a license in MFT will not be able to conduct therapy outside of the realm of MFT and actually (most states) don’t allow them to engage in diagnosis.

Litsa   March 18, 2014 at 8:22 pm Reply

Hi Matt – thanks, great clarifications! In terms of #4, we did include LG and LCPCs, who are mental health counselors, but included under master’s prepared psychology when it is technically a counseling degree. Thanks for taking the time to comment and clarify- I am sure it will be helpful to readers!

Marty Tousley (@GriefHealing)   May 15, 2013 at 8:55 am Reply

Helpful and informative, Eleanor ~ Thanks to you and Litsa for sharing this! I’ve added a link to your post at the base of my own article, “Professional Certification Programs in Grief and Bereavement,” here: https://www.griefhealingblog.com/2012/01/professional-certification-programs-in.html

Eleanor   May 18, 2013 at 11:07 pm Reply

Thank you Marty! I hadn’t seen that post yet so I’m happy you pointed it out.

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What’s in a name? Speech Pathologist, Speech Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist …

Speech Pathologist, Speech Therapist and Speech-Language Pathologist. Is there a difference? 

We regularly field questions from families and members of the public regarding our job title  “What is the difference between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist?” or “My child sees a speech-language pathologist, is that the same as a speech pathologist?”

Simply put, there is no difference between a speech pathologist, speech therapist or speech-language pathologist.  In fact, the ONLY difference is in the name! Each one of these titles is interchangeable.  

In Australia the term speech pathologist is commonly used.  It is more common to hear the term speech therapist in the United Kingdom. In the United States, speech-language pathologist is often the preferred term.

You can know for sure that regardless of whether a therapist uses the term speech pathologist, speech-language pathologist or speech therapist (or the acronyms SP, ST or SLP!) they mean the same thing and will have the same qualifications.  

What’s in a name? What is speech pathology?  

Speech pathologists study, diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficulties with speaking, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills, stuttering and using voice.

They work with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, learning disability, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, dementia and hearing loss, as well as other problems that can affect speech and language. People who experience difficulties swallowing food and drink safely can also be helped by a speech pathologist.

Why do we prefer pathologist?  

Here at Active Speech Pathology we prefer to be called speech pathologists.

Pathologist means ‘to find the causes and effects of something’. We feel this captures the essence of our role as experts in communication. We work hard to find the cause of communication difficulties and carry out the best treatment following evidence-based practice, for those same difficulties.  

If you have concerns about your child’s communication and would like to see one our Speech Pathologists, call us on 3103 0776.

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What do the letters after a Therapist’s name mean?

With all the letters after a Therapists name, it can be pretty confusing. Ph.D. MD. LMFT. LCSW. MS. CPC. LCAS. MA. In short, these letters are all titles and they are based on their levels of education and what specific area they practice or are licensed in [ 1 ]. Just as a Doctor, a Lawyer, or an Engineer can have all different titles or specialties. Therapists have them as well. In this article, we’re going to break down these letters for you and make them a little bit easier to understand.

The same reason you wouldn’t want a mechanic fixing your roof. You shouldn't choose a therapist or counselor that doesn't have the qualifications to effectively help you with your struggles. Some of these titles you may recognize and some you may not. A lot of these titles can overlap and knowing what some of these titles mean makes it easier for you to choose the right Therapist based on your needs. Find out more about what exactly a Therapist does, here .

PsyD. - Doctorate of Psychology

A PsyD is a doctorate in psychology. This means that the therapist has completed some pretty extensive coursework and training in psychology and is qualified to provide psychological services. These therapists typically focus on providing clinical treatments for severe cases and disorders. While they can come up with new therapy. They typically use the methods that have been shown to be effective instead of finding ways of treating patients. In short, they are more into the practice of psychology rather than research and study of it. They can work in hospitals or even clinical facilities. The large majority of people seeking therapy or counseling do not require specialized training from these individuals.

Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology.

When most think of therapist titles they think of a Psychologist . This is the one that is probably most associated with therapy, even though this title heavily focused on research and academia. These therapists use psychology-based methods and techniques to help their patients, such as communication and behavioral therapy. They generally focus more on the research side of Psychology and how to develop and advance better treatment methods for various types of patients.

Studying the greats before them such as Freud and Jung. They look into what Psychology is and how can we improve it. They can teach and lead classes in colleges and universities or conduct group studies in clinical areas. They also have advanced training in order to start their own private practice and help a wide variety of patients improve their mental health.

M.D. - Doctor in Medicine

While a Psychologist focuses on therapy techniques such as talking and communicative treatments. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have obtained their degree and license in medicine but their practice is in mental health. They have completed all the necessary training to be a regular physician but specialize in the field of psychology. They understand all the workings of the human body and how it functions but prefer to understand the inner workings of how a human’s mind operates on a psychological level.

While technically they are the only ones allowed to prescribe medicine some states have allowed laws for other psychologists to be able to prescribe medications. In the same way, you would go to your family physician to get prescribed antibiotics for an infection. You would go to a Psychiatrist to get treated and prescribed medication for your mental health disorder. They can deal with severe mental health issues in which traditional therapies are not all that effective but can still use traditional techniques to better understand their patients.

MS. and MA. - Master of Science and Master of Arts.

This title refers to a Master’s degree in Psychology. While just one level below a doctorate, these therapists can work in areas such as social work or counseling. They can receive their degree in a science focus which tends to lean more on Psychology as a science itself or, an art focus which balances the emphasis with liberal arts and psychology.

These individuals can begin gaining experience while pursuing their doctorates or specializing in individual counseling, marriage counseling, or family counseling. While they typically don’t focus too heavily on the clinical and research side of Psychology they can have exposure and gain experience in certain fields. After obtaining their master's they can receive many licenses from the state or other training and certifications in specific techniques.

MSW. - Master of Social Work

This title is a therapist who has received their master's in Psychology but with an emphasis in Social Work. They typically deal with more social issues such as economic, behavioral, welfare, and community issues. They promote and advocate for the well-being and mental health of a wide variety and diverse group of people. Operating on the understanding and science of Psychology but applying it to a community setting. They deal with social issues that can be often overlooked. Such issues as racial identity, sexual orientation, age, and financial and community relationships are all issues that be encountered by professional social workers.

LCSW. and LCSWA. - Licensed Clinical Social Worker/ Associate.

This is a specialty in which professionals have been licensed by their state in order to work in the area of social work. While the MSW denotes the degree, this license denotes the field of expertise. They often deal with not only the clinical aspect of social work and are trained in the diagnosis, and treatment of mental health issues in patients. Depending on the state requirements they may have to complete recommended minimum hours and experience before obtaining their license. The A stands for associate and this is a person who works alongside and is supervised by a licensed professional.

LCMHC. and LCMHCA - Licensed Clinical Medical Health Counselor/Associate.

This is a specialty track that is the area of counseling. These licensed professionals' main focus is in the area of the patient's mental health while counseling them through a wide variety of life issues they may encounter. This can be the death of a family or friend, identity crisis, depression, anxiety, and much more. They use a wide variety of techniques and therapies in order to help the patient cope and overcome their struggles. They are also trained in the diagnosis, and treatment of mental health issues in patients. Depending on the state requirements they may have to complete recommended minimum hours and experience before obtaining their license. The A stands for associate and this is a person who works alongside and is supervised by a licensed professional.

LCAS. and LCASA. - Licensed clinical addiction specialist/associate.

This specialty license deals with addiction in a clinical setting. These professionals use their knowledge to define and understand the underlying causes of addiction in patients. They help to treat and safely manage patients who have become dependent on a substance and prevent further abuse in order for them to live independent and healthy lives. Keeping the patient from relapsing and finding out the causes of triggers is one area of concern. Helping the patient detox while creating a judgment-free zone and safe mental well-being can help the patient overcome their substance abuse issues.

LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

This licensed therapist is trained in the area of marriage and family. From divorce and separation to a parent and children relationship, they can help treat the problems associated with family issues such as anxiety and depression. They can develop roles within a family and find better ways to promote their general understanding. Letting all members of the household have

their voices heard allows for a better household dynamic. Their expertise in family well being and mental health allows for them to find and maintain a healthy relationship between all members.

CPC - Certified Professional Coach

This certification is a specialty in the area of coaching. While similar to counseling. Coaching is about motivation and improving the lives of an individual. Coaching can help train someone to avoid bad or negative habits and promote positive ones. From diet to relationships a CPC can improve those areas of one’s life. In the same way, someone may have a coach in the gym, a CPC can help a person become the best version of themself by maintaining their mental health and empowering them throughout their lives. [ 2 ]

More important than the titles is choosing the right one for you

With the wide variety of titles and specialties, there is someone out there for everyone. It’s important that you find a therapist you can trust and feel comfortable with in order to get the help you need to improve your life and relationships.

Having a better grasp on understanding these titles and abbreviations and what they mean, will allow you to better research what type of treatment you may need. Not sure what is the best fit for you? Reach out to our professional team at Morrisville Counseling and Consulting or send us a message and we can chat over a free consultation to find our more about you and guide you in the right direction.

Therapist Titles, or “What Do Those Letters After Your Name Mean?" - Emily Decker - https://medium.com/@emily.jean.decker/therapist-titles-or-what-do-those-letters-after-your-name-mean-c109a0218ea\

Types of Coaching Certifications (Definitions & Differences) - iPEC - https://www.ipeccoaching.com/blog/3-types-of-coaching-certifications-definitions-differences#

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How To: Phonological Treatment for Writing

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Back when you were learning to read, you may have been taught that the letter B makes the “buh” sound, like in “boot.” This is known as letter-to-sound correspondence, or more technically, grapheme-to-phoneme correspondence. You then used this information when you sounded out words you were reading, and then in reverse when figuring out how to spell words. But when people develop aphasia after a stroke, they may lose this knowledge. This can make it very difficult to read or write.

The Treatment: Phonological Treatment

Phonological treatment is used to improve sound-to-letter and letter-to-sound correspondence to improve agraphia (difficulty writing) due to aphasia. It targets written expression at the word-level by enhancing phonological processing skills.

Phonological treatment is the middle step in a three-step treatment sequence developed by Dr. Pélagie Beeson’s lab at the University of Arizona. We’ve already covered the first step: Anagram, Copy, and Recall Treatment (ACRT) in another article.

Who Would Benefit from Phonological Treatment for Written Expression?

Phonological treatment has been found to be an effective treatment for individuals with non-fluent aphasia and anomic aphasia with phonological agraphia or surface agraphia. 

Before clients can begin treatment, they must first be able to spell keywords that begin with the initial sounds/phonemes being trained. If the client is unable to complete this task, it is recommended they start with ACRT to train a set of keywords. Once mastered, phonological treatment can begin.

A client may be appropriate for phonological treatment if they demonstrate difficulty with reading and spelling non-words, deleting or replacing phonemes in a written word, or translating phonemes to graphemes. These individuals may frequently demonstrate phonemic paraphasias in speech as well.

What You’ll Need to Do Phonological Treatment

Phonological treatment can be completed with minimal preparation and materials. The clinician will need:

Pen or pencil with paper

A set of keywords that begin with the initial phonemes to be trained.

• The client should be able to write all of the keywords
• Keywords can be individualized and personally relevant, so a family member’s name that begins with a certain sound may make a perfect keyword

Pictures of the keywords

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How to Start Phonological Treatment

Phonological treatment uses a cueing hierarchy to train targeted graphemes and phonemes. Here’s an example of sound-to-letter training using the phoneme /m/:

Say, “Write the letter that makes the sound /m/.”

• If correct, move on to the next phoneme.
• If incorrect, proceed to step 2.

Say, “Think of your keyword for /m/. Try to write your keyword.”

• If correct, say, “Yes, mug is your keyword. Mug starts with /m/. Underline the /m/ sound in mug.” Repeat step 1 or move to the next phoneme.
• If incorrect, go to step 3.

Show the picture and say, “Your keyword for /m/ is mug. Write mug. Now underline the /m/ sound in mug.”

• If correct, repeat step 1 or move to the next phoneme.
• If incorrect, go to step 4.

Provide a model for the keyword and say, “Your keyword is mug. Copy the word mug. Now underline the /m/ in mug.”

Consonants should be trained using 4 sets of 5 consonants. Criterion is met when the client is able to correctly write and say each set of phonemes with 80% accuracy over 2 sessions. For those with severe apraxia of speech, it’s enough to show mastery of sound-to-letter matching, as letter-to-sound may be too challenging. 

Here’s a home practice video by SLP Christie Shultz from the Aphasia Research Project lab that shows how someone can practice their keywords at home using an unlisted video on YouTube provided by the clinician:

After establishing consonants, vowels are trained in 2 sets of 6. Vowel training will follow the same protocol as consonants with the exception of having two keywords for each vowel. This is because some vowels have more than one typical corresponding grapheme (e.g., ee and ea for /i/). 

Here’s another home practice video all about vowels:

Continuing on with Phonological Treatment

Letter-to-sound training can then be completed using a similar hierarchy, showing the target grapheme to the client, and asking for the keyword for that letter. Get extra practice by creating a matching game by laying out a limited set of the keyword pictures. Ask the client to find the keyword for a sound you say. 

After training all the phonemes, work begins learning to blend real words and non-words. The client hears a word, repeats it, and then writes the keyword for each sound they hear. They can then combine the target letter in each keyword to write the word or non-word.

Here’s a video of what real word blending looks like for homework:

If you’d like to see non-word blending, follow this link to another video .

This will get the person close to the correct spelling in most cases, or at least to a point that someone can read the word and make sense of it. But because English has so many irregular spellings, this won’t make for perfect writing. That’s where the third step in the writing treatment comes in: interactive treatment. Read more about interactive treatment here .

Phonological Treatment Using Advanced Writing Therapy

Did you know the Match activity in the Advanced Writing Therapy app was based on phonological treatment? That means it is the perfect companion for treatment and homework for clients. 

Open the Advanced Writing Therapy app and select the Match activity

Set up your activity by choosing your levels

Each level is based on the treatment protocol used during development of the phonological treatment. Use the 4 levels of consonants, 2 levels of vowels, and 5 levels of blends to target sound-to-letter training. Work on one at a time, then mix and match.

Begin Phonological Treatment

Begin to follow the protocol. Use the on-screen cues for Hear the Keyword , See the Keyword , and Read the Keyword depending on the client’s success throughout the procedure.

Assign Homework

As with any treatment, intensity and repetition are important. Ensure the client can practice independently at home and email the results of each session to the therapist for monitoring and adjustments.

Selected Resources & References

The University of Arizona provides resources for the phonological treatment protocol, including variations, and ways to implement homework. They also provide picture stimuli for clinician use. https://aphasia.sites.arizona.edu/content/10

For all 3 treatments in this series, along with a free assessment battery for reading and spelling, check out the Aphasia Research Project’s r esources for professionals .

Beeson, P., Bayley, C., Shultz C., & Rising, K. (2018): Maximising recovery from aphasia with central and peripheral agraphia: The benefit of sequential treatments, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2017.1417873

Beeson, P., Rising, K., Demarco, A. T., Foley, T. H., & Rapcsak, S. Z. (2018). The nature and treatment of phonological text agraphia. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 28(4), 568-588. DOI:10.1080/09602011.2016.1199387  Full Text

Beeson, P. M., Rising, K., Kim, E. S., & Rapcsak, S. Z. (2010). A Treatment Sequence for Phonological Alexia/Agraphia. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 53(2), 450. DOI:10.1044/1092-4388(2009/08-0229) Full Text

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Katie Brown , MA, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist in Buffalo, NY. She is the owner of Neuro Speech Solutions , a private practice that specializes in treatment for adult speech, cognitive, & swallowing disorders. Katie is passionate about providing person-centered & functional therapy to help her patients meet their life goals.

Megan S. Sutton , MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and co-founder of Tactus Therapy. She is an international speaker, writer, and educator on the use of technology in adult medical speech therapy. Megan believes that technology plays a critical role in improving aphasia outcomes and humanizing clinical services.

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Counseling for Individuals, Couples, & Families to Help You Thrive

Ever wondered what the letters after your therapist’s name mean.

LMFT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

These fully licensed clinicians have completed their Master’s Degree, have sat for their State Licensing exam, and completed over 3000 hours of counseling services. LMFTs typically specialize in relationships, sex, marriage, and family issues.

LPC Licensed Professional Counselor

These fully licensed clinicians have completed their Master’s Degree, have sat for their State Licensing exam, and completed over 3000 hours of counseling services. LPCs typically specialize in individual mental health issues.

LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker

These fully licensed clinicians have completed their Master’s Degree, have sat for their State Licensing exam, and completed over 3000 hours of counseling services. LCSWs typically specialize in community based mental health.

LPC-Intern or LMFT-Associate

Both of these clinicians have completed their Master’s Degree and have sat for their State Licensing exams. They are in the process of completing their 3000 hours of counseling services under the weekly supervision of a LPC-Supervisor or LMFT-Supervisor.

LMSW Licensed Master Social Worker

These clinicians have completed their Master’s Degree and have sat for their State Licensing exams. They are in the process of completing their 3000 hours of counseling services under the weekly supervision of a LCSW Supervisor.

LPC-Supervisor or LMFT-Supervisor

These fully licensed Professional Counselors or Marriage and Family Therapists who have been fully licensed for over 3 years and have completed training as a clinical supervisor. They are responsible for supervising LPC-Interns or LMFT-Associates as they accumulate their 3000 clinical hours to obtain full licensure.

Graduate Level Practicum Intern

These clinicians are still in Graduate school and are in the processing of completing their Master’s Degree in Mental Health. As a part of their clinical study, they will complete between 300-500 hours of counseling services prior to graduation. They are not licensed, and must still be under the supervision of a professor and a fully licensed mental health professional.

Still have questions, please let us know !

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Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

14 speech therapist cover letters.

Approved by real hiring managers, these Speech Therapist cover letters have been proven to get people hired in 2024. A hiring manager explains why.

Table of contents

• Speech Therapist
• Pediatric Speech Therapist
• Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
• School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist
• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Alternative introductions for your cover letter
• Speech Therapist resume examples

Speech Therapist Cover Letter Example

Why this cover letter works in 2024, demonstrating diverse experience.

This sentence effectively highlights the candidate's diverse experience in speech therapy, showcasing their adaptability and ability to work with a variety of clients.

Connecting Experience to Company Goals

By linking their accomplishments to their desire to work at Global Speech Solutions, the candidate demonstrates a clear understanding of the company's mission and how their skills align with its goals.

Expressing Genuine Excitement

This sentence shows genuine excitement for the role, emphasizing the candidate's passion for collaborating with a team of experts who share the same goals.

Concise and Gracious Closing

The closing sentence is short and to the point, while also expressing gratitude for the reader's time and consideration.

Convey Genuine Admiration for the Company

No one wants to feel like they were picked out of a hat. Stating why you have a genuine interest in the company, like their personalized patient care, shows that you've done your research and are dedicated to their mission. This creates a connection from the start and sets a positive tone for the rest of the letter.

Sharing a Personal Anecdote

By starting your journey in speech therapy through volunteering, you're showing that you didn't just fall into this career. You actively chose it and are truly passionate about it. This really resonates with us and is a great way to start your cover letter.

Demonstrating Impact

When you talk about your success in improving patient recovery times, it's clear that you're not just going through the motions at work. You're pushing boundaries, and this is exactly the type of person we're after. Always use examples like this where you can; they show you're someone who takes initiative and gets results.

Aligning with Company Goals

Recognizing our commitment to healthcare technology, and expressing your excitement to be part of it, shows an understanding of where we're going as a company. It's important to do your research and highlight these alignments in your cover letter.

Highlighting Unique Skills

When you talk about your unique blend of skills and passion for speech therapy, it's clear you're not just another applicant. You're someone who has a lot to offer, both in terms of expertise and enthusiasm. Make sure to highlight these unique selling points in your cover letter.

Expressing Enthusiasm for Next Steps

Expressing your eagerness to discuss your potential contribution further is a great way to end your cover letter. It's proactive and shows you're serious about wanting to join us.

Show excitement for the speech therapist role

When you express thrill in applying for a position, it sets a positive tone and shows me that you have genuine interest in being part of our team.

Highlight your speech therapy achievements

Mentioning specific improvements in children's speech clarity and fluency demonstrates your effectiveness and the direct impact of your work.

Emphasize personalized therapy plans

Talking about tailoring therapy to each child's needs shows your commitment to individualized care, which is crucial in speech therapy.

Align your values with the employer

By stating that our commitment to evidence-based therapy matches your own values, you're telling us that you'll fit right in with our approach and philosophy.

Express eagerness to join the team

Ending your letter by looking forward to the opportunity to join our team conveys a strong desire to contribute and make a difference.

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Connect personal experience to your career choice

Mentioning how speech therapy has touched your life personally shows a deep-rooted passion for your work, making you a more compelling candidate.

Detail your qualifications and experience

Outlining your educational background and practical experience demonstrates your competence and readiness to take on the job responsibilities.

Show commitment to community service

Highlighting your efforts to extend speech therapy beyond the clinic into the community showcases your dedication to helping others, regardless of their circumstances.

Align with the employer's values and approach

Expressing that you value the same things as the employer does — like a team approach and innovative resources — suggests that you will fit in well with their culture.

End on a hopeful and respectful note

Concluding with thanks and a desire to discuss your application further is not only polite but also shows you're genuinely interested in the opportunity to contribute to their mission.

Show your personal connection to speech therapy

Sharing a personal story about how speech therapy has impacted your life or your family shows me you're not just looking for any job—you're seeking a role where you can make a real difference.

Highlight impactful changes you've made

Telling me about a specific improvement you've implemented, like a new assessment protocol that boosts efficiency, demonstrates your ability to innovate and improve patient care. This is exactly what we need more of.

Express your excitement for the role

When you mention your eagerness to bring your skills to our team, it reassures me of your commitment and belief in what we do. It's always refreshing to see candidates who are genuinely excited about the opportunity.

Close with a forward-looking statement

Ending your cover letter by looking forward to discussing your contribution shows confidence and initiative. It also subtly prompts a response, guiding us toward the next step in the hiring process.

Pediatric Speech Therapist Cover Letter Example

Showcase successful projects.

Not just telling, but showing that you've been successful in your previous roles is vital. By stating the number of patients you've helped improve their speech skills, you demonstrate your effectiveness as a therapist and give a tangible measure of your capabilities. Always remember, numbers talk!

Show your alignment with the pediatric speech therapist role

Expressing your respect for the healthcare system you're applying to shows that you understand and share their values, which is crucial for roles that impact children and families directly.

Highlight your pediatric therapy skill set

Detailing your experience and successes in the field demonstrates not just your capability, but also your passion for making a tangible difference in children's lives through speech therapy.

Emphasize your commitment to innovative care

By showing interest in specific aspects of the employer's approach, such as family-centered care and technology use, you position yourself as a candidate who is both informed and eager to contribute to these areas.

Express eagerness to support the mission

A strong closing that reiterates your dedication to the organization's goals helps cement your position as a motivated and mission-driven candidate.

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Cover Letter Example

Origin of passion.

Sharing that your passion for pediatric speech therapy ignited during an internship is a great way to connect with us. It shows that you have a deep-rooted interest in this field and aren't just looking for any job.

Innovative Approach

By mentioning your successful integration of augmented reality into therapy sessions, you're showing that you're forward-thinking and open to new methods. This is particularly important in healthcare, where innovation can directly improve patient outcomes.

Matching with Organization Culture

Showing your excitement about our dedication to new technologies and methodologies tells us that you understand our culture. This will make us more confident that you'd be a good fit for our team.

Offering Expertise

When you talk about bringing your expertise in innovative therapy techniques and technology integration to our team, it shows us you're not just looking for a job, but a place where you can grow and contribute significantly. That's exactly the kind of person we want on our team.

Keenness for Dialogue

By stating your eagerness to discuss your potential contribution, you're showing both your enthusiasm and your confidence. It's a great way to end the cover letter on a high note, leaving us looking forward to that conversation.

Connect with the pediatric speech-language pathologist mission

Showing that KidSpeak's mission resonates with you indicates that you're not just looking for any job, but specifically a role that aligns with your passion for helping children.

Illustrate the impact of your initiatives

Describing the success of your programs, like the social skills group and parent education, provides concrete evidence of your ability to deliver results and improve lives.

Highlight engaging therapy techniques

Stating that you create fun, play-based sessions signals that you know how to keep children engaged, which is key to effective therapy.

Value collaboration and family-centered care

By emphasizing your belief in working closely with clients and their families, you're showing us that you understand the importance of a supportive therapy environment.

Show your dedication to making a difference

Ending with an eagerness to contribute to our team and impact lives tells us that you're motivated by the right reasons and ready to commit to our mission.

Connect your values with the organization

When you begin by aligning your personal values with our organizational goals, it tells me you've done your homework and understand what we stand for. This is a strong foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Illustrate your collaborative approach

Describing your experience working in a team to create personalized treatment plans showcases your ability to collaborate. In a field as interdisciplinary as pediatric speech-language pathology, teamwork is crucial.

Emphasize your commitment to early intervention

Highlighting your interest in early intervention and parent education underlines your proactive approach to therapy. It's impressive when candidates show they're not just about the treatment but also about empowering families.

Invite further discussion in your closing

Ending your letter by inviting a conversation about how your skills align with our needs is a smart move. It shows you're ready to take the next step and engage in more detailed discussions about your potential role.

School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist Cover Letter Example

Show your passion for speech therapy and the workplace.

When you talk about why you want to work at a specific place because of its values, you make your application more personal and show that you care about more than just getting any job.

Highlight your achievements with students

Telling a story about how you helped a student shows your direct impact. This makes it easier for hiring managers to see the value you could bring to their school.

Communicate the importance of speech therapy

By saying that effective communication is key to success, you're showing that you understand the big picture of your role as a speech therapist in a school setting.

Mentioning your excitement to work with a diverse group of students adds to your image as a team player who is ready to contribute to the school's community.

Close with a polite and hopeful note

Ending your cover letter by thanking the reader for considering your application and expressing hope for joining their team leaves a positive last impression.

Show your passion for speech-language pathologist roles

Start your cover letter by sharing why you're excited about the job. This shows you know what the job entails and are eager to be part of the team.

Highlight key achievements in speech therapy

When you mention a specific success, like improving early intervention services, it proves you can make a real difference. This is exactly what hiring managers want to see.

Connect with the school's values in speech therapy

Expressing your interest in the school's special areas, like inclusive education, shows you've done your homework. It tells us you're a good fit for our culture.

Close with gratitude and openness for a speech pathologist role

Ending your cover letter by thanking the reader and expressing eagerness to discuss your role further is polite and professional. It leaves a good last impression.

Speech-Language Pathologist Cover Letter Example

Communicate your strong interest in the speech-language pathologist role.

Starting your cover letter by acknowledging the employer's reputation and expressing your enthusiasm for joining their team immediately sets a positive tone for your application.

Showcase your diverse experience and achievements

Demonstrating a broad skill set and specific accomplishments, like improving patient outcomes, establishes your qualifications and potential value to the team.

Highlight your interest in multidisciplinary care and innovation

Emphasizing your enthusiasm for collaboration and advancement in the field aligns you with the employer's forward-thinking approach to patient care.

Reiterate your fit for the role

Closing with confidence in your abilities and a forward-looking statement about contributing to the employer's mission reinforces your suitability for the position.

Alternative Introductions

If you're struggling to start your cover letter, here are 6 different variations that have worked for others, along with why they worked. Use them as inspiration for your introductory paragraph.

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Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.