As you scroll through our providers, you may notice letters after their names—such as PhD, LP, or MA, LPC. At first, these can seem confusing. However, here’s the key point: those letters don’t define the quality of your care. Instead, they show a provider’s educational path and license type.
Every therapist at Silver Linings Counseling has completed extensive training and holds a state license in Michigan. Whether your provider has a master’s degree or a doctorate, you can expect compassion, professionalism, and care tailored specifically to you.
No need to stress about the letters! What matters most is how supported and connected you feel in the therapy or testing process.
Let’s break it down—what those letters mean, how providers earn their licenses, and how we work together to deliver high-quality mental health care.
First, Degrees
- MA (Master of Arts): Earned in counseling, psychology, or related fields.
- MS (Master of Science): Similar to an MA, but with more focus on research, science, or data-driven methods.
- MSW (Master of Social Work): Includes training in mental health, human behavior, and social systems.
- PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): A doctoral degree with training in both research and clinical practice.
- PsyD (Doctor of Psychology): A doctoral degree that emphasizes hands-on clinical work and direct client care.
Next, Licenses
- Licensed Psychologist (LP): LPs hold a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD). They provide therapy, conduct assessments, and often supervise graduate-level clinicians.
- Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP): LLPs complete a master’s degree in psychology (MA or MS). They provide therapy and assessments and bill independently (except for Medicare) while working under LP supervision.
- Temporary Limited Licensed Psychologist (TLLP): TLLPs also hold a master’s degree (MA or MS). They work toward full licensure by delivering therapy and testing under LP supervision.
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): LMSWs complete an MSW along with exams and supervised practice. They hold full licenses and may provide therapy independently.
- Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW): LLMSWs also hold an MSW and continue to build supervised experience. They work under a licensed social worker while offering therapy with fresh energy and dedication.
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): LPCs complete a master’s degree in counseling (MA or MS) and extensive supervised practice. They hold full licenses to provide therapy independently.
- Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC): These providers hold a counseling degree. They practice therapy while gaining supervised experience with an LPC.
Most licenses begin in a “limited” or temporary phase. LMSWs start as LLMSWs, LPCs as LLPCs, and psychologists may start as TLLPs or LLPs. These early stages ensure providers gain hands-on experience before practicing independently.
Who Should I Work With?
At Silver Linings, we focus on therapy and psychological testing. If you need services outside our scope—such as psychiatry, ABA therapy, or marriage and family therapy—we don’t provide them in-house. However, our team can connect you with trusted professionals in the community so all your providers can work together to support your well-being.
Here’s a simple breakdown of our providers:
- All providers at Silver Linings Counseling hold a license and qualify to provide therapy.
- Testing services are provided by our LPs, LLPs, and TLLPs.
- TLLPs, LLMSWs, and LLPCs practice under the supervision of a fully licensed clinician as they gain experience. Even so, they bring full education, training, and passion to their work.
- LLPs work with guidance from an LP, but bill independently (except for testing services and Medicare).
Some providers may also list extra credentials after their names. These credentials represent specialty training or certifications and show a provider’s dedication to continuing education. Feel free to ask what they mean!
Every therapist at Silver Linings Counseling is qualified to provide excellent care. However, insurance companies sometimes limit which licenses they reimburse or require certain providers to bill under a supervisor. This isn’t about skill—it’s simply insurance policy.
If you’re using insurance, we’ll help you understand your coverage and connect you with the right provider. If you don’t have insurance or prefer to see someone unable to accept your plan, contact us to explore affordable options for your care.