What Do All These Letters Mean? Understanding Therapy Credentials and Why They Matter
When you’re looking for a therapist, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the letters after our names.
LMFT. EMDR. PMH-C. CBT. What do they actually mean?
And more importantly—do they matter?
Let’s break it down in plain English so you can feel confident about who you’re working with and why it matters for your healing.
What’s an LMFT, anyway?
LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. It means I’ve completed a graduate program, thousands of supervised hours, passed state licensing exams, and maintain ongoing education to legally and ethically provide therapy in California.
You can think of it as the foundation that allows me to do this work—and everything else builds from there.
What’s the difference between “trained” and “certified”?
This is a key distinction. Many therapists attend short workshops or courses and say they’re trained in something—which is great!
But certification means something deeper:
Advanced coursework
Consultation with seasoned experts
Documented clinical practice
Ongoing training to maintain the credential
In short, certification shows a therapist has gone above the basics to specialize in a particular area.
Here’s what I’m certified in—and how it helps you:
1. EMDR Certified
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a research-supported method for treating trauma, anxiety, and overwhelming life experiences. It helps the brain reprocess distressing memories in a way that’s less emotionally charged.
To become EMDR Certified through EMDRIA, I:
Completed EMDR Basic Training
Received over 20 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA-approved consultant
Logged extensive clinical hours using EMDR with clients
Maintain certification with ongoing education
EMDR therapy can help with:
Birth trauma
Childhood trauma
Medical or procedural trauma
Panic and anxiety
Feeling “stuck” even when life seems fine
🔗 Read: What is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?
2. PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certified)
Awarded by Postpartum Support International, this certification focuses on the mental health of individuals during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting.
To earn my PMH-C, I:
Completed specialized training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, birth trauma, grief, and NICU support
Logged 14+ hours of focused continuing education
Passed a comprehensive national board exam
Maintain certification through ongoing professional development
This certification allows me to support clients experiencing:
Postpartum depression and anxiety
Scary or intrusive thoughts
Birth trauma or difficult medical experiences
Identity changes in motherhood
Emotional recovery after NICU or fertility challenges
3. CBT Certified
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to reduce distress and build more effective coping.
I completed a two-year post-graduate certification program, which included:
Advanced coursework and supervised clinical work
Regular consultation with CBT experts
Continuing education to maintain my skill and scope
CBT is especially helpful for:
Overthinking and racing thoughts
Negative self-talk or low self-worth
Perfectionism and burnout
Anxiety and stress in motherhood or relationships
Do credentials make someone a better therapist?
Not necessarily.
There are amazing therapists who haven’t pursued certification. And having letters after your name doesn’t guarantee a good fit.
But when you’re navigating trauma, motherhood, or complex emotional pain, certifications can tell you this person has done extra work to show up for clients just like you.
How do I know if someone is the right fit?
Credentials are just one piece of the puzzle.
The real magic comes from a therapist who gets you, holds space for your story, and helps you move forward in a way that feels safe and doable.
Looking for a certified therapist who understands motherhood, trauma, and everything in between?
Whether you’re a new mom feeling overwhelmed, someone still holding onto a traumatic memory, or just trying to find your way back to yourself—I’d be honored to support you.
👉 Learn more about therapy here
