Skip to main content
← Back to Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Glossary

113 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

Psychoeducation

Intermediate Technical IVT

A structured, evidence-based intervention providing patients and their families with information about a mental health or substance use condition, its treatment, and strategies for managing symptoms.

Showing 25–48 of 113

crisis stabilization

Intermediate Technical IVT

Short-term intensive intervention to address acute psychiatric symptoms and prevent hospitalization.

Technical Term Full entry →

DBT

Intermediate Technical IVT

An evidence-based psychotherapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and distress tolerance sk...

Technical Term Full entry →

The American Psychiatric Association's authoritative classification system for mental health diagnoses, used as the stan...

Document Type Full entry →

discharge against medical advice

Intermediate Formal IVT

Patient-initiated departure from treatment despite clinical recommendation to continue, requiring specific documentation...

Clinical Procedure Full entry →

DSM-5-TR

Professional Technical IVT

The current standard classification system for mental health disorders used in clinical documentation and treatment plan...

Technical Term Full entry →

DTRs

Intermediate Technical IVT

Deep tendon reflexes, neurological examination components assessed during psychiatric evaluations to detect medication s...

Technical Term Full entry →

Dual Diagnosis

Basic Semi-formal IVT

A clinical designation for an individual who has been diagnosed with both a substance use disorder and at least one inde...

Technical Term Full entry →

elopement

Professional Technical IVT

Unauthorized departure of a patient from a behavioral health facility without formal discharge, triggering immediate saf...

Safety Incident Full entry →

EMDR

Intermediate Technical IVT

A trauma-focused psychotherapy that uses bilateral stimulation to help process and integrate traumatic memories.

Technical Term Full entry →

euthymic

Intermediate Technical IVT

A mood state characterized by normal, stable emotions without the extremes of depression or mania; the therapeutic goal...

Technical Term Full entry →

evidence-based practice

Intermediate Technical IVT

Clinical interventions that have been rigorously tested and proven effective through scientific research studies.

Technical Term Full entry →

Expressed Emotion

Advanced Technical IVT

A measure of the emotional climate within a family, specifically the level of criticism, hostility, and emotional over-i...

Technical Term Full entry →

fidelity monitoring

Professional Technical IVT

Systematic assessment of how closely a treatment program adheres to its evidence-based model specifications.

Technical Term Full entry →

FIML

Advanced Technical

Full Information Maximum Likelihood, a statistical method used in behavioral health research to handle missing data in l...

Technical Term Full entry →

Functional Impairment

Intermediate Technical IVT

A clinically significant reduction in a person's ability to perform daily activities, social roles, or occupational resp...

Technical Term Full entry →

GAF score

Professional Technical IVT

Numeric rating from 1-100 measuring an individual's psychological, social, and occupational functioning.

Technical Term Full entry →

GPRA

Professional Technical IVT

Government Performance and Results Act data collection required for federal behavioral health grant programs.

Data Collection System Full entry →

HIPAA-compliant

Professional Formal IVT

Meeting the privacy and security requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act for protected h...

Legal Term Full entry →

HONOS

Professional Technical IVT

Health of the Nation Outcome Scales, a standardized instrument used to measure mental health outcomes and severity of sy...

Technical Term Full entry →

ICD-10-CM

Intermediate Technical IVT

The U.S. clinical adaptation of the WHO's ICD-10 coding system, used for billing and documentation of diagnoses includin...

Abbreviation Full entry →

IDDT

Professional Technical IVT

Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment model for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Treatment Model Full entry →

Informed Consent

Intermediate Formal IVT

The process by which a clinician discloses sufficient information about a proposed treatment—including risks, benefits,...

Legal Term Full entry →

integrative body-mind training

Intermediate Technical IVT

A mindfulness-based intervention combining meditation, breathing techniques, and body awareness practices used in behavi...

Technical Term Full entry →

involuntary commitment

Professional Formal IVT

Legal process for mandatory psychiatric treatment when a person poses a danger to self or others or is gravely disabled...

Legal Procedure Full entry →
Showing 25–48 of 113

Editors from these organisations have used our services since 1998

Reuters BBC Oxford University Press Penguin Random House Springer Microsoft Suncor Energy United Nations Fisher Investments IBM The Home Depot KODAK CHEVRON