Mental health glossary.
Therapy and psychiatry come with their own vocabulary — CBT, DBT, EMDR, SSRI, MDD, and dozens of other shorthands that don’t mean much until someone explains them. Here’s what they mean, in plain language.
Each entry covers what the term means in clinical use, when you’re likely to encounter it (insurance paperwork, a clinician’s notes, your own research), and the related terms it’s often confused with. We aim for accuracy without the textbook tone — if a definition here would land you a B in a graduate class but leaves you no clearer about your own care, it isn’t doing its job.
C
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
A structured, evidence-based talk therapy that helps you identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors driving symptoms like anxiety or depression.
Read more - Copay
A fixed amount your insurance plan asks you to pay per visit. Therapy and psychiatry copays are usually $0–$50 in-network; most NJ FamilyCare members pay $0.
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D
E
I
- In-network
When a clinic or clinician has a contract with your insurance plan, your visit is in-network — the plan pays its share, and you usually owe only a copay or share of the deductible.
Read more - Intensive outpatient (IOP)
A step down from partial hospitalization — typically 9–12 hours per week of structured group and individual therapy, often three days per week.
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M
P
- Partial hospitalization (PHP)
An intensive day-treatment program for mental health or substance use — typically 5–6 hours per day, 5 days a week — for patients who need more than weekly outpatient care but don't need overnight hospital stay.
Read more - Prior authorization (prior auth)
A pre-approval some insurance plans require before they'll cover a specific service or medication. Most therapy doesn't need it; some Medicaid plans do for psychiatry or TMS.
Read more - PSYPACT
An interstate compact that lets PSYPACT-authorized psychologists practice telepsychology across participating states without holding a separate license in each state.
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