Resources · Glossary
Mental Health & Therapy Terms: A Plain-Language Guide
Therapy and mental health come with a lot of jargon. Search or browse the terms below, from everyday words to the North Carolina licenses, services and crisis lines you may hear about.
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504 Plan
North Carolina
A plan under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that provides accommodations so a student with a disability can access learning. It is broader than an IEP and does not use a fixed list of disabilities.
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988
North Carolina
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, or chat online, to reach a trained counselor any time. It is free and confidential, and it is for any kind of emotional crisis, not only thoughts of suicide.
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Accommodations
Neurodivergence
Changes to a setting, task or rule that make it possible for someone to participate fully, such as extra time, a quieter workspace or written instructions.
ACT
Therapy & care
Acceptance and commitment therapy. An approach that helps you make room for difficult thoughts and feelings while taking steps toward what matters to you.
ADHD
Neurodivergence
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. A neurodevelopmental difference that can affect attention regulation, activity level, impulse control, time awareness and organization. It looks different from person to person, and many people are not identified until adulthood.
Anxiety
Feelings & experiences
A natural response to stress or uncertainty that can include worry, tension and a sense of dread. It becomes something to get support for when it lasts, feels hard to control or starts to get in the way of daily life.
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Attachment
Relationships
The way early relationships shape how we connect with others. Attachment ideas can be a helpful lens, but online quizzes should not be treated as fixed labels or diagnoses.
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Autism
Neurodivergence
A neurodevelopmental difference that shapes how a person communicates, experiences sensory input and connects with others. Autistic people have a wide range of strengths and support needs.
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B
Behavioral Health Urgent Care
North Carolina
A walk-in place for immediate mental health or substance use help that does not require a hospital stay. Most are open around the clock and can support you for up to 23 hours.
Boundary
Relationships
A limit that describes what you will do, allow or take part in. Boundaries are about your own actions and choices. They are not rules for controlling another person.
Burnout
Feelings & experiences
Deep exhaustion that builds up after long-term stress, often tied to work or caregiving. It can look like feeling drained, detached, cynical or less effective. It is not a personal failing.
C
CBT
Therapy & care
Cognitive behavioral therapy. A structured approach that looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviors influence one another, and builds practical skills for changing patterns that are not helping.
Codependency
Relationships
A pattern in which a person's sense of worth or stability depends heavily on caring for or pleasing someone else, often at the expense of their own needs. It is a description of a pattern, not a formal diagnosis.
Coercive control
Relationships
A pattern of behavior used to dominate a partner through isolation, monitoring, intimidation or restricting money and choices. It is a form of abuse and needs a safety-first response, not couples techniques.
Complex trauma
Feelings & experiences
A term for the effects of trauma that happened repeatedly or over a long period, often in childhood or in relationships where escape was not possible. It can affect trust, self-image and how safe the world feels.
Confidentiality
Therapy & care
Your therapist's duty to keep what you share private. There are limits, such as a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, or a court order. A good therapist explains these at the start.
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Coping skills
Feelings & experiences
Things you do to manage stress or difficult feelings, such as movement, talking with someone, creative outlets, breathing or setting limits. Helpful coping skills vary from person to person.
Counselor
Therapy & care
Often used interchangeably with therapist. In North Carolina, licensed counselors hold titles such as LCMHC or LCMHCA.
D
DBT
Therapy & care
Dialectical behavior therapy. A skills-based approach that teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and communication skills.
Depression
Feelings & experiences
A mood condition marked by persistent sadness, loss of interest or energy, changes in sleep or appetite, and trouble concentrating. It is common, and it is treatable with support.
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Diagnosis
Therapy & care
A name a qualified professional gives to a pattern of symptoms after an evaluation. You can go to therapy without one, and insurance may require one for coverage.
Dissociation
Feelings & experiences
A feeling of being disconnected from your thoughts, body, surroundings or sense of time. Mild versions, such as zoning out, are common. It can also be a way the mind protects itself during overwhelming experiences.
E
Ego state therapy
Therapy & care
An approach that views the personality as made up of different parts, or states, and works to help those parts communicate and feel understood.
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EMDR
Therapy & care
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. A structured therapy used mainly for trauma that involves recalling distressing memories while following guided bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements. It requires specific training.
Emotional regulation
Feelings & experiences
The ability to notice, understand and respond to strong emotions in ways that fit the situation. Everyone's starting point is different, and regulation skills can be learned and practiced.
Executive functioning
Neurodivergence
The mental skills that help you plan, start tasks, keep track of information, manage time and shift between activities. Many people find these harder at times, and ADHD and autism often affect them.
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F
Facility-Based Crisis
North Carolina
A short-term place to stay for more intensive mental health stabilization or substance use detox when a shorter visit is not enough.
G
Gaslighting
Relationships
A pattern in which someone repeatedly denies or twists what happened so that the other person begins to doubt their own memory or perception.
Grief
Feelings & experiences
The many feelings that follow a loss, such as sadness, anger, guilt, numbness or relief. Grief does not follow a set timeline or order, and it can come with losses other than death.
Grounding
Feelings & experiences
Simple techniques that bring your attention back to the present moment, such as noticing what you can see and hear, feeling your feet on the floor, or holding something cold.
H
Hypervigilance
Feelings & experiences
A state of being constantly on guard and scanning for danger. It often develops after living with stress or threat, and it can be exhausting.
I
IEP
North Carolina
Individualized Education Program. A written plan for a student who qualifies for special education services under federal law, describing goals, services and supports. NC's parent center, ECAC, can explain the process.
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Imposter syndrome
Feelings & experiences
A persistent feeling that you do not deserve your accomplishments and will be found out. It is not a formal diagnosis, and it is common among high achievers.
Intake
Therapy & care
The first stage of starting care: paperwork and a conversation about what brought you in, your history and your goals.
Intrusive thoughts
Feelings & experiences
Unwanted thoughts, images or urges that pop into your mind and feel upsetting or out of character. They are common. They become distressing when you feel you must fight, hide or neutralize them.
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LCMHC
North Carolina
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. A master's-level counselor licensed by the NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
LCMHCA
North Carolina
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate. A counselor who has completed a master's degree and is working toward full licensure while supervised.
LCSW
North Carolina
Licensed Clinical Social Worker. A social worker with a master's degree and supervised clinical experience who provides therapy and can diagnose mental health conditions.
LCSWA
North Carolina
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate. A social worker with a master's degree who is completing supervised experience toward the LCSW license.
Licensed psychological associate
North Carolina
A master's-level psychology license in North Carolina. Licensed psychological associates practice under supervision.
Licensed psychologist
North Carolina
In North Carolina, a doctoral-level clinician licensed by the NC Psychology Board. Psychologists provide therapy and psychological testing and assessment.
LMFT
North Carolina
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. A therapist trained to work with individuals, couples and families, with a focus on relationships and family patterns.
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Masking
Neurodivergence
Hiding or suppressing natural traits, such as stimming or direct communication, or copying others in order to fit in. It can be tiring over time and is often connected to safety and belonging.
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Mindfulness
Feelings & experiences
Paying attention to the present moment on purpose, with curiosity rather than judgment. It can be brief and does not require sitting still.
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Mobile Crisis Team
North Carolina
One or two counselors who can come to you at home, school or another safe place during a mental health crisis. In Pitt County, call 1-866-437-1821. It is free, even without insurance.
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NC Medicaid Tailored Plan
North Carolina
A North Carolina Medicaid health plan designed for people with significant behavioral health needs, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or traumatic brain injury. It combines behavioral health, physical health and pharmacy coverage and includes care management.
NC Peer Warmline
North Carolina
A free, private line at 1-855-PEERS-NC staffed by people with lived experience of mental health or substance use challenges. It is for support and a listening ear rather than emergencies.
Neurodivergent
Neurodivergence
A community term for people whose brains work in ways that differ from what is considered typical, including people who are autistic, have ADHD or have other differences. It is an umbrella term, not a diagnosis.
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Neurodivergent burnout
Neurodivergence
A period of deep exhaustion and reduced ability to cope that can follow long stretches of masking, overload or unmet needs. Recovery usually involves rest and reducing demands.
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Neurodivergent-affirming therapy
Therapy & care
Therapy that treats neurodivergence as a natural variation rather than something to eliminate, and adapts communication, pacing and goals to fit how you think and experience the world.
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Neurotypical
Neurodivergence
A term for people whose thinking and processing fit what is considered typical for most people.
O
Out-of-network
Therapy & care
A provider who does not have a contract with your insurance plan. Coverage and cost may differ, so it is worth calling your plan to ask.
P
Panic attack
Feelings & experiences
A sudden wave of intense fear that peaks within minutes and can bring a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness or a feeling of losing control. Panic attacks are frightening but usually pass. Because these sensations can have other causes, it is reasonable to get a medical check-up.
People pleasing
Relationships
A habit of putting others' wants ahead of your own needs to avoid conflict, disappointment or rejection. It often looks like automatic yeses and leaves people feeling drained.
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Psychiatrist
Therapy & care
A medical doctor who specializes in mental health and can diagnose, prescribe and manage medication. Many psychiatrists focus on medication and refer to therapists for talk therapy.
Psychological assessment
Therapy & care
A structured evaluation, often with interviews, questionnaires and testing, used to understand things like attention, learning, autism, mood or personality. It is different from ongoing therapy.
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Psychologist
Therapy & care
A professional with a doctoral degree in psychology who provides therapy and can also do psychological testing and assessment.
PTSD
Feelings & experiences
Post-traumatic stress disorder, a diagnosis some people receive when symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in mood and feeling on edge continue for a long time after a traumatic event. Only a qualified professional can diagnose it.
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Repair
Relationships
What happens after conflict when people acknowledge the impact of what happened, take responsibility and reconnect. Healthy relationships have conflict and repair.
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Rumination
Feelings & experiences
Going over the same thoughts, often about the past or about what went wrong, again and again without reaching a resolution.
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Self-esteem
Feelings & experiences
How you think and feel about your own worth. It can rise and fall with life circumstances and with how you were treated over time.
Sensory overload
Neurodivergence
A state where sounds, light, textures, smells or other input feel like too much to process. It can lead to shutting down, irritability or needing to leave.
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Sliding scale
Therapy & care
A fee that is adjusted based on what a client can afford. Availability varies by provider.
Somatic therapy
Therapy & care
Approaches that pay attention to body sensations as part of healing, on the idea that stress and trauma are held in the body as well as the mind.
Stimming
Neurodivergence
Repetitive movements or sounds, such as rocking, tapping or humming, that help with regulation, focus or joy.
Superbill
Therapy & care
An itemized receipt from a provider that you can submit to your insurance company to ask for out-of-network reimbursement. Ask your plan what it requires.
T
Teletherapy
Therapy & care
Therapy by secure video or phone. Many people find it easier to fit into life, and it works well for many concerns.
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Therapeutic alliance
Therapy & care
The working relationship between you and your therapist, including trust, agreement on goals and the sense that you are working on it together. It is one of the strongest signs that therapy is likely to help.
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Therapist
Therapy & care
A general word for a professional who provides talk therapy. Because the word is broad, it helps to check the person's specific license.
Trauma
Feelings & experiences
The lasting effect of an experience, or a series of experiences, that overwhelmed a person's ability to cope. Two people can go through the same event and be affected differently, and there is no wrong way to respond.
Trauma-informed therapy
Therapy & care
Care that recognizes how common trauma is, prioritizes safety, choice and pacing, and avoids re-traumatizing you.
Treatment plan
Therapy & care
A written outline of what you and your therapist are working toward and how. It can change as your needs change.
Trigger
Feelings & experiences
Something, such as a sound, smell, place, date or situation, that brings back a strong emotional or physical reaction connected to a past experience. Triggers are personal and are not a sign of weakness.
Trillium Health Resources
North Carolina
The organization that manages public behavioral health and developmental disability services for many eastern North Carolina counties, including Pitt. It also offers a Medicaid Tailored Plan. Its Access to Care line is a place to start.
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Ultimatum
Relationships
A demand that comes with a threat of consequences if the other person does not comply. It is different from a boundary, which is about what you will do.
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Ask us anything
If a word or an idea is confusing, a free 15-minute consultation is a good place to ask. There are no wrong questions.
Keep exploring
Starting Therapy
What to expect, how to find the right therapist, understanding credentials and preparing for your first appointment.
Neurodivergence
ADHD, autism, executive functioning, masking, sensory needs and neurodivergent-affirming care.
Sources & additional reading
- NIMH: Mental health topics (opens in a new tab)
- NCDHHS: Crisis Services (opens in a new tab)
- NC Medicaid: Behavioral Health and I/DD Tailored Plans (opens in a new tab)
This page is general information, not medical or clinical advice, and it does not replace care from a qualified professional. Last reviewed September 26, 2026.