A Family Guide to Mental Health:
Mental Health Glossary of Terms
Assessment
A professional review of a child’s needs. Includes a review of physical and mental health, intelligence, school
performance, family situation and behavior in the community.
Case Manager
An individual who organizes and coordinates services and support for children with mental health concerns and their families.
Clinical Nurse Practitioner (CNS)
A person with an RN degree and a Master’s Degree in psychiatry/mental health. He/she is able to provide therapy, education and prescribe medications under the supervision of a psychiatrist.
Counselor/Therapist
A professional who helps others with personal, social, or psychological problems. May be offered to individuals, couples, families, or groups.
Day Treatment
Includes Special Education, counseling, parent education, vocational training, skill building, crisis intervention, and recreational therapy.
Diagnosis (Dx)
The identification of a disease or problem from signs and symptoms.
Family Group Decision Making Conference
A family centered process that recognizes the importance of involving family groups in decision making about children who need mental health support, protection or care. The process allows the family to lead decision making and establish a plan to support the ongoing needs of the child and family.
Home-based Services
Provides in-home help/support for as long as necessary to deal with a child’s mental health problem. The goal is to prevent the child from being placed out of the home.
Mental Health
Refers to how a person thinks, feels, and acts when faced with life’s situations. It is how people look at themselves, their lives, and the other people in their lives; evaluate the challenges and problems; and explore options. This includes handling stress, relating to other people, and decision-making. Mental health is impacted by genetics, brain chemistry, trauma, and environment.
Mental Health Professional
A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), a Licensed Psychologist (LP), a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). These licensed professionals are able to complete diagnostic assessments to determine appropriate diagnoses and treatment plans.
Neuropsychological Assessment
A performance-based assessment used to assess cognitive functioning and how brain damage, brain disease or severe mental illness is affecting your ability to reason, concentrate, solve problems, or remember.
Psychiatrist
A medical specialist in mental health disorders able to prescribe medications.
Respite Care
A service that provides a break for parents who have a child with a serious emotional disturbance.
Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)
Diagnosable disorders in children and adolescents that severely disrupt daily functioning in the home, school, and community.
Therapeutic Foster Care
Community based home-like setting the provides intensive treatment services to children, where the children work on issues that require 24 hour supervision.