Counselor glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a counselor provider in Columbia.
- What is 12-step facilitation?
- 12-step facilitation is a counseling method designed to help clients understand and participate in 12-step recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
- What is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)?
- A Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) is a mental health professional licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to diagnose and treat mental health and substance abuse disorders independently, without clinical supervision.
- What is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)?
- A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) is a mental health professional with state licensure who specializes in treating couples, families, and individuals through a systems-based approach that examines relationship patterns and dynamics.
- What is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)?
- An LPC is a mental health professional licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation who has completed a master's degree and at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience to counsel individuals on emotional and behavioral issues.
- What is a partial hospitalization program (PHP)?
- A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is an intensive day-based treatment service that provides clinical care, group therapy, and psychiatric services several days per week, allowing patients to return home in the evening.
- What is a sliding scale fee?
- A sliding scale fee is a pricing structure where a counselor adjusts their session rate based on the client's income or ability to pay, typically with a minimum and maximum fee range.
- What is a treatment plan?
- A written clinical document created by a counselor that specifies a client's therapeutic goals, the interventions used to address them, and the expected timeline for treatment.
- What is an associate counselor license?
- An associate counselor license (LPC-A) is a provisional mental health credential in South Carolina that allows supervised counseling practice before meeting full licensure requirements.
- What is an intake assessment?
- An intake assessment is the first session between a counselor and client where the counselor collects background information, identifies presenting concerns, and establishes the foundation for treatment.
- What is an intensive outpatient program (IOP)?
- An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a treatment level providing 9 or more hours per week of structured clinical services, typically for mental health or substance abuse disorders, while allowing clients to maintain their residence and daily responsibilities.
- What is clinical supervision?
- Clinical supervision is structured, one-on-one or group oversight of a therapist's client work by a licensed supervisor, required for associate-level therapists to progress toward full licensure.
- What is co-occurring disorders?
- Co-occurring disorders, also called dual diagnosis, occur when a person experiences both a mental health condition (such as depression or anxiety) and a substance use disorder simultaneously.
- What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
- Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional wellbeing.
- What is confidentiality and mandated reporting?
- Confidentiality is the counselor's legal duty to keep client information private, with mandatory exceptions when a client poses danger to themselves or others or when abuse of a minor, vulnerable adult, or elder is suspected.
- What is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a structured psychological treatment that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with acceptance and mindfulness strategies, organized into four skill modules and typically delivered through individual therapy, skills training, phone coaching, and a therapist consultation team.
- What is EMDR therapy?
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique that uses bilateral eye movements or other rhythmic stimulation while recalling traumatic memories to help the brain reprocess and reduce their emotional charge.
- What is HIPAA in counseling?
- HIPAA is a federal law that requires counselors and therapists to keep client health records private and secure, limiting who can access or share that information without explicit permission.
- What is informed consent in therapy?
- Informed consent is a documented agreement in which a therapist discloses information about their qualifications, treatment approach, fees, confidentiality limits, and potential risks before a client begins therapy.
- What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?
- Medication-assisted treatment is the use of FDA-approved medications (such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone) combined with behavioral therapy and counseling to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders.
- What is motivational interviewing?
- Motivational interviewing is a counseling technique in which the therapist uses empathetic listening and strategic questioning to help clients move through ambivalence and build commitment to positive behavior change.
- What is play therapy?
- Play therapy is a counseling modality in which children communicate and work through emotional or behavioral concerns using play, toys, and creative expression rather than verbal dialogue.
- What is telehealth counseling?
- Telehealth counseling is therapy delivered remotely through video, phone, or secure messaging platforms rather than in-person office visits.
- What is the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist, and counselor?
- Psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors are three distinct mental health roles that differ in their education, licensing requirements, and treatment authority, particularly regarding medication prescription.
- What is the DSM-5?
- The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) is the standardized reference published by the American Psychiatric Association that mental health professionals use to diagnose and classify psychological and behavioral disorders.