# What does MMSW or IMSW mean? (therapy related term) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 31, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mmsw-or-imsw-mean-therapy-related-term/272205 "2004-10-31T22:50:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mmsw-or-imsw-mean-therapy-related-term/272205/1 "2004-10-31T22:50:22Z")
Anyone know what these abbreviations mean? A friend is convinced I have adult ADD and while I’m skeptical, I’m willing to admit I’ve got issues. The person her boyfriend (diagnosed with it) recommends has “IMSW” after his name in the phone book and “MMSW” after his name in references online. I haven’t been able to figure out what these stand for tho’. Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mmsw-or-imsw-mean-therapy-related-term/272205/2 "2004-11-01T02:34:23Z")
I just asked the guy I share a house with who is a psychotherapist. He’s never heard of either an IMSW or MMSW. An LMSW is a Licenced Masters Social Worker though. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mmsw-or-imsw-mean-therapy-related-term/272205/3 "2004-11-01T03:11:31Z")
> [@Tapioca Dextrin](#): > > I just asked the guy I share a house with who is a psychotherapist. He’s never heard of either an IMSW or MMSW. An LMSW is a Licenced Masters Social Worker though. Hm, I found yet another reference that lists him as “LMSW-ACP” so I guess it refers to the social worker aspect. Supposedly, he’s an expert in “EEG neurofeedback”. I have no idea what that really means either and am suspicious it’s something flakey. My friend is very sweet but she believes all that homepathic crap. Bleh. I’ve always been deeply suspicious of all this stuff anyway but I sure am getting tired of my chronic inability to finish _anything_… ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mmsw-or-imsw-mean-therapy-related-term/272205/4 "2004-11-01T03:12:49Z")
:smack: BTW, I meant to add “thank you very kindly” for asking your room-mate for me. I appreciate the assistance. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mmsw-or-imsw-mean-therapy-related-term/272205/5 "2004-11-01T03:19:02Z")
From my extensive research on the web I’ve found… There is no such thing as a MMSW that has anything to do with counseling. There are some counselors in the Texas area that have “imsw” after their names. These people only appear in directory listings of counselors, social workers, emergency services, etc… There was no link to a web site of one of these imsw’s to find out what ‘imsw’ means. There is a IMSW (International Medical Social Workers) organization in the UK. It would be unlikely that members of this UK organization only work in the greater Texas area. Back to those directory listings of “imsw’s”… did a search just for the person’s name, and found some them listed as “LMSW’s”. Hmmm… :smack: All those directories with the “imsw’s” had misspelled LMSW, mistaken the lower case L for a capital I. So… There are no such things as an “imsw.” Your friend meant LMSW who do do counseling. Peace. ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_dePlume](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Josh\_dePlume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Josh_dePlume)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mmsw-or-imsw-mean-therapy-related-term/272205/6 "2004-11-01T03:31:33Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > Supposedly, he’s an expert in “EEG neurofeedback”. I have no idea what that really means either and am suspicious it’s something flakey. [Good instinct.](http://www.quackwatch.org/search/webglimpse.cgi?ID=1&query=neurofeedback) ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mmsw-or-imsw-mean-therapy-related-term/272205/7 "2004-11-01T04:29:23Z")
Go figure, it’s a real thing. From [here](http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:vmcRL_UaPFoJ:www.naswtx.org/ProfIssues/proposed_structure.doc&hl=en&client=firefox-a): > [@](#): > > Current licensing structure for social workers in Texas: > > Licenses: > Social Work Associate (SWA)\*: 4 year degree in a human/behavioral science + licensing exam. > Licensed Social Worker (LSW): Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from accredited program + licensing exam. > Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): Master’s Degree in Social Work from accredited program + licensing exam. > Specialty Recognitions: > Must hold an LMSW License and meet additional criteria- > \* Advanced Practitioner (LMSW-AP) - 3 years of full-time non-clinical experience including 2 years of supervision with a board approved supervisor + licensing exam. > \* Advanced Clinical Practitioner (LMSW-ACP) - 3 years full-time clinical experience including 2 years of supervision with a board approved supervisor + licensing exam.