- 4755 Linglestown Rd Suite 402, Harrisburg, PA 17112
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You’ll see a set of letters after our clinical team’s names: MA, LPC, NCC, and others. Here’s what they actually mean.
These fall into three different categories, and the difference matters.
Academic credentials. Show what someone studied, not what they’re licensed to do.
Issued by a state government, legally required to practice. Determines whether someone can treat you.
Voluntary, usually national. Show additional training beyond what a license requires.
MA — Master of Arts. A graduate-level academic degree, most often in counseling, psychology, or a related field. It’s the education that qualifies someone to pursue state licensure — on its own, it isn’t a license to practice.
LPC — Licensed Professional Counselor. A Pennsylvania state license issued by the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. To hold it, a counselor must complete a qualifying master’s degree, pass the National Counselor Examination, and complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after graduating. This is the license that legally authorizes independent counseling practice in Pennsylvania.
[Dr. Ikram’s credential entry — medical degree type (MD/DO), Pennsylvania medical license, and ABPN board-certification status — to be added once confirmed.]
NCC — National Certified Counselor. A voluntary national certification issued by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). It’s separate from state licensure and reflects that a counselor has met additional national standards beyond Pennsylvania’s licensing requirements.
This glossary covers only credentials currently held by our reviewing clinical team. It will be updated as team credentials are confirmed — it is not a general directory of every behavioral health license or certification.