Have you ever wondered what all of those letters and abbreviations behind a clinician’s name mean?
For Example: Betty White, MA, LMSW-C, CAADC OR Jane Smith, MA, LPC, ATR John Smith, PA-C
Honestly, it can all be pretty confusing. This week we want to provide you more information about a clinician’s credentials and highlight that it is National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The letters behind a clinician’s name indicate their level of education and credentials/license to practice in healthcare. It is important for clinicians to identify their credentials to provide transparency and informed patient care.
Above is a cheat sheet for the most common credentials you will see our clinicians at AACA have at the end of their names.
September 15th through October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month
Approximately 34% of Hispanic/Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 45%.
Barriers for receiving mental health treatment across different cultures and ethnic backgrounds include:
- Language Barriers
- Health Insurance/Costs
- Healthcare Provider’s Lack of Cultural Competency
- Legal Status
- Stigma
If you or someone you know is looking for resources for maneuvering through these barriers check out Hispanic/Latinx | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Contact AACA if you are not currently seeing a clinician and want to set up an appointment
