What the letters after your provider's name mean
Every clinician on our providers page carries a credential — the state license or degree that says what they're trained and legally permitted to do. Here's a guide to each one.
Medication Management
DO — Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
A fully licensed physician — equivalent in scope to an MD — trained through an osteopathic medical school and residency. DOs are licensed by the State Medical Board of Ohio and can independently evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, and oversee complex psychiatric care such as TMS.
PA — Physician Assistant
A clinician who completes a master's-level physician assistant program and national certification through the NCCPA. Our PAs can evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medication, practicing under a supervision agreement with a collaborating physician.
CNP — Certified Nurse Practitioner
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensed by the Ohio Board of Nursing, with graduate-level training beyond the RN — many with a specialty in psychiatric-mental health care (PMHNP). Our CNPs evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medication under a standard care arrangement with a collaborating physician, as Ohio law requires.
Therapy
Counselors
LPC — Licensed Professional Counselor
Ohio's entry-level clinical counseling license, held by someone with a qualifying master's degree in counseling who has passed the state exam. LPCs practice diagnosis and treatment under the supervision of an LPCC-S while they build the hours required for independent licensure.
LPCC — Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Ohio's independent-practice counseling license. To reach it, an LPC completes at least two years (3,000+ hours) of supervised clinical experience. LPCCs can diagnose and treat mental health conditions on their own and run a private practice.
LPCC-S — Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Supervision designation
Not a separate license, but an add-on: an LPCC who has completed extra coursework and post-licensure clinical hours specifically in supervision, qualifying them to formally train and sign off on LPCs working toward independent licensure.
Social Workers
LSW — Licensed Social Worker
Ohio's foundational social work license, earned with a bachelor's or master's degree in social work. LSWs can carry out most social work practice on their own but need supervision from an LISW to provide clinical psychotherapy. Occasionally listed alongside MSW (Master of Social Work) — that's the academic degree behind the license, not a separate credential.
LISW — Licensed Independent Social Worker
The independent clinical social work license in Ohio, requiring a master's degree plus roughly two years (3,000 hours) of supervised post-degree experience and an advanced clinical exam. LISWs can diagnose and provide psychotherapy without supervision.
LISW-S — Licensed Independent Social Worker, Supervision designation
An LISW who has completed a year of post-licensure practice plus supervision-focused continuing education, authorizing them to formally supervise LSWs working toward their own independent license.
Why the supervision distinction matters
Ohio licenses counselors and social workers in two tiers on purpose: a supervised tier (LPC, LSW) for clinicians still completing their post-graduate hours, and an independent tier (LPCC, LISW) for those who've completed it. The “-S” suffix marks someone in the independent tier who's additionally qualified to supervise others — it's a teaching credential, not a higher clinical rank.
Sources: State Medical Board of Ohio, NCCPA, Ohio Board of Nursing, and the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board
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