Glossary
Abstract
Something that exists as a thought or an idea, but does not have a material or
physical existence; examples include beauty, friendship, truth, kindness, love,
time
Abstract Thinking
The ability to think in a way that applies concepts to different situations
and transfers patterns to generalizations
Abuse
A form of injury that one person inflicts upon another; abuse can be physical,
sexual, emotional, verbal, or a combination of these
Adjustment
The act or process of adapting to new conditions
Administrative Supervision
Supervision that provides you with information on the rules and requirements
of your Tribal Health Organization
Aggression
Hostile or violent behaviors or attitudes toward another person; aggression is
often the act of attacking without being provoked
Aggressive Communication
A form of communicating in which the communicator does not respect others’
rights to be heard
Aggressor
The person who initiates acts of aggression
Alaska Native Cultural Values
Beliefs that guide processes for gathering knowledge, living in a community
and ensuring social order
Alcohol
Refers to beer, wine, spirits (whisky, gin, tequila, vodka, etc.) and home
brew; alcohol can also be found in mouth wash, hand sanitizer, and some household
cleaners such as Lysol
Anxiety
Excessive worry that interferes with day to day living
Assertive Communication
A form of communicating in which communicators respect both their own right to
be heard and others’ right to be heard
Assessment
Determines the extent and depth of the problem, organize a conceptualization
of what the problem is diagnostically, and what the client’s needs are, will be.
Also determines the client’s readiness for change, strengths and problem areas
that may impact treatment.
Attachment
The pattern and quality of interactions between a child and his or her
caregivers
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
A formal diagnosis involving a persistent pattern of inattention and/or
hyperactivity and impulsivity
Authorization to Treat
A formal and documented process involving a client, or his legal guardian,
giving permission to a provider to treat him; also referred to as consent to
treat
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Is a developmental disorder that involves issues with social communication and
interactions or restricted or repetitive behaviors, interests or
activities
Bipolar Disorder
A formal diagnosis that involves moods alternating between depression and
mania, or depression and hypomania, at least once.
Boundaries
Limits that are set in the context of your interactions with another person,
often referring to limits set between providers (e.g., BHAs) and
clients
Brief Intervention
A short, supportive, and nonjudgmental conversation with a client or patient
about their behavior; it is often educational and it is tailored to their specific
circumstances
Bully (Bullying)
A form of aggression in which the aggressor uses strength or influence to
intimidate a victim
Caregiver
Anyone who plays a significant role in the life of a child or adolescent,
through parenting, mentoring, providing guidance or support, and other forms of
care giving
Case Management
A service provided to clients to help them manage daily activities and
functioning
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and the system of nerves throughout the body
Child Abuse
Repeated mistreatment or neglect of a child, resulting in damage or harm to
that child; this abuse can be physical, emotional, mental, verbal, sexual, or any
combination of these
Child Development
Guidelines for the stages of children’s’ development, growth, and
learning
Civil Commitment
A legal procedure to place a mentally ill person in a hospital against his or
her will, in order to protect that person or other people from harm because of the
person’s mental illness
Clinical Case Presentation
Verbal presentations of client cases during supervision; often with the
intentions of asking your supervisor or clinical team to discuss or recommend
treatment options
Clinical Supervision
Supervision that supports you as you provide quality client
services
Cognitive Disorder
A neurological (brainrelated) disorder that interferes with taking in,
understanding, and remembering information
Collateral Information
Client information that is gathered from sources other than the individual,
such as information from a child’s parents, family members, community members,
school, or probation officer
Communication
Verbal and nonverbal messages between people
Community Resources
Community-based individuals or organizations who can assist in providing or
connecting clients with resources necessary to meet basic needs, including
housing, food, clothing, and hygiene needs
Compulsive Behaviors
Behaviors that result from an irresistible urge to act a certain way, even if
the individual does not really want to act that way
Concrete
Something that has a physical existence or form; concrete things can be
touched, smelled, seen, heard, or tasted
Conduct
The way a person acts or behaves
Conduct Disorder
A formal diagnosis involving repetitive and persistent problems with
conduct
Confidentiality
The act of protecting private information
Consent to Treatment
The process of a client (or his legal guardian) giving permission to a
provider to treat him
Continuing Education (CE)
Courses required to maintain professional certificates or licenses
Cyber-bullying
A form of aggression in which an aggressor uses electronic technology to
influence or intimidate a victim
Cyclothymic Disorder
A formal diagnosis that involves moods alternating between dysthymia and
hypomania
Delusions
Odd or bizarre thoughts or beliefs
Depressants (Downers)
A category of substances that temporarily decrease various activities and
functioning of the central nervous system
Depression
Extreme feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness and/or constant fatigue;
often includes a person’s withdrawal from others or a loss of interest in
activities he would usually enjoy
Designated Evaluation and Stabilization Facility
Specific hospitals that can evaluate and work to stabilize a person for up to
seven (7) inpatient days, sometimes 10 days
Designated Evaluation and Treatment Facility
Specific hospitals that can evaluate and treat persons for up to 30 inpatient
days, and more, if necessary
Detailed Ideations
Regular and long-lasting thoughts about killing oneself; these ideations may
include details of a plan for how and when the suicide will happen
Detoxification (Detox)
A process that helps to stop the intake of drugs or alcohol in people who are
dependent; the goal of detoxification is to safely rid the body of drugs or
alcohol that builds up
Development
Refers to the stages in growth, development, and learning that a person
experiences over time
Developmental Disorders
Lifelong disabilities due to mental and/or physical impairments; these may
cause a person to have difficulty communicating with others, reading others’ body
language, making and keeping friends, learning basic life skills, or expressing
emotions
Developmental Malformations
Problems with the development of parts of the body while the baby is in the
womb
Direct Supervision
The process of consulting with your clinical supervisor before (sometimes
during) and after providing services to your client
Documentation
The process of keeping a permanent record of a client’s visit and treatment;
this record includes all documents, forms, and correspondence related to that
client’s treatment
Dual Relationships
Situations where multiple roles exist between you and your client
Durable Power of Attorney
A formal document that gives a specific adult authority to make certain health
care decisions for a specific child
Dyscalculia
A learning disorder involving difficulties with math
Dysgraphia
A learning disorder involving difficulties with writing
Dyslexia
A learning disorder involving difficulties with reading
Dysthymia
A chronic, though less severe, form of depression
Dysthymic Disorder
A formal diagnosis that involves symptoms of dysthymia, more often than not,
for at least one year.
Educational Counseling
An intervention that provides clients with information and education related
to their presenting problems, such as issues related to medication, substance
abuse, mental illness, and family interactions
Emotional Abuse
A form of abuse that occurs when a child is repeatedly put down or made to
feel worthless or less than a person
Enuresis
The inability to control urination; often results in urinary (peeing)
accidents
Environmental Influence
Traits that are learned based on a child’s experiences. Environment also plays
a role in development across the lifespan.
Ethics
Standards that guide you in decision-making and action
Executive Functioning
Refers to how the brain uses what it has learned and remembers from past
experiences and makes connections to the present. It is the ability to plan, to
organize oneself, to pay attention, to remember details, to manage one’s time and
space, and to reflect on oneself and one’s work.
Facial Features
Refers to the smooth philtrum, small palpebral fissures, and thin upper lip
seen together in individuals with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Family Counseling/therapy
An intervention that may be used when a child or adolescent has a problem that
impairs or affects family and social functioning
Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)
A spectrum of neurological (brain-related) impairments that are a result of
the child having been exposed to alcohol while in utero
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
A cluster of symptoms directly related to a baby having been exposed to
alcohol in utero; problems may be evidenced in the child’s physical, mental, and
social growth and functioning
Fine Motor Skill
Small body movements (e.g., grasping a crayon)
General Supervision
The process of providing services independently AFTER your clinical supervisor
has consulted with you and authorized you to do so
Generalized Anxiety
Persistent worry about many things or everything
Genes (Genetics)
Traits passed down from parents to their children
Gravely Disabled
A condition in which a person, as a result of mental illness, is in danger of
physical harm (because the person is so ill they cannot take care of basic needs)
or will, if not treated, suffer (or continue to suffer) such severe distress that
the distress will cause significant impairment or impair their ability to function
independently
Gross Motor Skills
Large body movements (e.g., throwing a ball or running)
Group Counseling/therapy-
An intervention involving face-to-face meetings between a BHA/P or clinician
and three or more clients who have similar issues or concerns
Guardian
A person designated to take care of and provide basic needs for a
minor
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)
Someone whose job is to represent the best interests of a minor in court; GALs
are NOT legal guardians
Hallucinations
A sensory-based experience that others around the individual do not
experience; hallucinations can be seen, heard, felt, tasted or smelled
Health Record
A legal document that describes services provided to a client
High Risk Situation
A situation where a client or provider has the potential of being
harmed
Historical Trauma
A wounding that occurs across generations from massive group trauma
experiences
Hyperactivity
A state of too much muscle activity or energy; a hyperactive child may fidget
or squirm when seated, get up frequently to walk or run around, or run and climb
excessively when it is not appropriate to do so
Hypomania
A persistent, though less severe, form of mania
Impulsivity
Acting suddenly on internal desires without thinking them through
first
Incest
Any act of sexual activity between close relatives that is illegal, socially
taboo, or against religious norms, regardless of the person’s age or
consent
Indian Child Welfare Act
A federal law that protects the interest of Indian children during placement
proceedings (custody, adoption, foster care, guardianships, etc.); the law also
protects the rights of American Indian and Alaska Native parents, families, and
“Indian custodians”
Indirect Supervision
The process of consulting with your clinical supervisor to plan for providing
specific services for a client
Individual Counseling/therapy
An intervention that helps clients better understand themselves and their
problems in order to cope with the stress of daily life
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
A team approach to assessment and special education services
Inpatient Treatment
An intervention used for clients in crisis who have suicidal gestures,
attempts or thoughts with a plan, psychotic symptoms, or plans to harm someone
else
Interventions
Different processes used to improve a client’s behavioral, thinking, or
emotional state; types and approaches vary according to the issue and severity of
the problem
Intoxicated
A state of being physically, mentally, or emotionally affected by alcohol or
another substance
Involuntary Commitment
A legal procedure to place a mentally ill person in a hospital against his or
her will, in order to protect that person or other people from harm because of his
or her mental illness
Knowledge and Skills Checklist
The Knowledge and Skills Checklist is a tool that guides supervision,
training, development, and certification for BHA/Ps. It addresses specific
domains of competency and professional practice.
Law Enforcement Officer
A peace officer, including an Alaska State Trooper (AST), a Village Police
Officer (VPO), a Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO), or a local city police
officer.
Learning disorder
A neurological (brain-related) disorder characterized by problems with
learning, sorting, and storing information
Legal Guardian
Someone who is legally appointed to take care of and make decisions for
someone else
Legally Emancipated Minor
A minor who is living apart from his parents, managing his own financial
affairs, and has legal authority to consent to his own care
Life Skills
A person’s overall knowledge, skills, and abilities; life skills influence
daily functioning and an overall sense of health and wellbeing
Lying
Saying things that are not true or leaving out important information when
telling a story
Major Depressive Disorder
A formal diagnosis that involves multiple symptoms of depression, more often
than not, for at least two weeks.
Malpractice
A type of legal claim involving professional wrongdoing that results in harm
or injury
Mandatory Report
Situations that require you to make a formal report when you suspect a child,
elder, or vulnerable person is being abused or neglected or if he is at risk for
harming himself or others
Mandatory Reporter
Professionals and practitioners of the healing arts and public service
providers who are required by law to make mandatory reports
Mania
Extreme feelings of excitement, irritability, and racing thoughts; often
involves patterns of impulsivity and a decreased need for sleep
Mass Media (media)
A tool for accessing and communicating with large audiences of
people
Master
The title given to court system personnel (usually attorneys) who can hear
probate matters, such as civil commitments, wills, and trusts. Almost every
magistrate in Alaska has been given a special appointment by the Alaska Supreme
Court to handle civil commitment matters, so when your local magistrate is hearing
an involuntary commitment petition or issuing an involuntary commitment order, the
magistrate is sitting as a master, not a magistrate
MC-100
A court document that must be completed and filed if a mentally ill person is
to be held for more than 24 hours
MC-105
A court document that must be completed and filed in order to take a mentally
ill person into protective custody to seek a mental health evaluation
MC-305
A court document issued by a judge or master, following the court’s finding
that the respondent is mentally ill or presents a danger to self or
others
Medicaid Waiver
An approval for money for home or community-based services for a child who
experiences severe learning disabilities or cognitive delays
Mental Health
Knowledge, skills, and abilities related to a person’s emotions, thoughts,
cognitive functioning, behavioral functioning and ability to relate to
others
Mental Health Professional
A licensed doctor or master's level mental health provider, or a person with a
master's degree in mental health who has at least 12 months' experience working in
the mental health field post graduation and is working under the supervision of
one of a licensed mental health professional.
Mental Illness
Presence of symptoms that inhibit a person’s emotional, thoughtful, cognitive
or behavioral functioning
Mental Trauma
The mind’s response to a serious injury or threat; may include frightening
thoughts and painful feelings
Minimum Necessary
Sharing only the minimum amount of client information necessary to protect
others from harm or to coordinate services
Minor
Any client 17 years old or younger
Minor Consent Rule
A general rule that requires you to get written permission (consent) from a
parent or other adult who is legally responsible for a minor BEFORE beginning
treatment
Mood
A person’s feelings, state of mind, or experience with emotions
Mood Disorder
Mental disorders that are characterized by mood problems
Mood Problem
A description of an individual’s difficulty managing or controlling his mood
or emotions
Motivational Interviewing
A client-centered therapeutic technique that encourages behavior change by
helping clients explore and resolve personal motivations for changing problematic
behaviors
Neglect
A form of abuse that occurs when parents or caregivers do not take care of a
child’s basic needs, including providing the child with things needed for healthy
physical and mental growth
Night Terror
Frequent and recurring episodes of intense crying and fear while the child is
sleeping; it is usually difficult to wake the child during a night
terror
Nightmare
Bad dreams that cause a child to experience fear, terror, or
anxiety
Non-retentive Encopresis
A formal diagnosis involving the act of a child refusing to have a bowel
movement (poop) in the toilet
Nonverbal Communication
A form of communicating that is expressed through body language; including eye
contact, proximity, tone and volume of voice, body posture, and facial
expressions
Notice of Emergency Detention and Application for Evaluation
A court document that must be completed and filed in order to take a mentally
ill person into protective custody to seek a mental health evaluation
Obligation (Duty) to Warn
The act of warning another person if a client has made a credible threat to do
something that will put another person in immediate danger of serious
harm
Order on Petition for Involuntary Commitment for Evaluation
A court document issued by a judge or master, following the court’s finding
that the respondent is mentally ill or presents a danger to self or
others
Outpatient Treatment
An intervention that is typically provided in local behavioral health offices;
typically accessed by individuals who are experiencing distress from behavioral
health issues at a level where less intensive methods are necessary
Palpebral Fissure
The horizontal opening of the eye, from the inner tear duct to the outer tear
duct; in individuals with FAS, this fissure is much smaller than it is in a
neurotypical person
Parallel Play
A developmental milestone during which time a child learns to play alongside
other children, but not always interact with them
Passive Communication
A form of communicating in which the communicator does not respect his own
right to be heard
Passive Ideations
Passing thoughts about suicide, such as wondering what it would be like if the
individual were not alive
Passive-aggressive Communication
A form of communicating in which the communicator does not respect his own
right to be heard, and he also does not respect others’ right to be
heard
Peer Support
A process of giving and receiving information and support between people who
share common experiences, situations, or problems
Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)
A group of developmental disorders that typically cause a person to have
difficulty communicating with others, understanding social situations, or engaging
in repetitive or restrictive behaviors or activities
Petition for Involuntary Commitment for Evaluation
A court document that must be completed and filed if a mentally ill person is
to be held for more than 24 hours
Philtrum
The parallel groove between the bottom of the nose and the top lip; in
individuals with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the groove is indistinct to
nonexistent
Physical Abuse
A form of abuse that occurs when there has been physical (bodily) suffering or
injury; the most easily recognized form of abuse
Physical Health
Knowledge, skills, and abilities related to a person’s general health, diet
and nutrition, sexual health, physical activity and environmental
health
Physical Illness
Presence of symptoms related to a person’s physical development and age
appropriate physical activity
Physical Sexual Aggression
Uninvited acts of sexual behavior; including molestation and rape
Physical Trauma
The body’s response to a serious injury or threat
Play Therapy
An intervention that can help children and youth cope with emotional stress or
trauma; play therapy can help them express their feelings and bring emotions to
the surface
Postnatal
Refers to what happens to a baby after birth
Prenatal
The period of time before birth, during which the baby is growing and
developing in the mother’s womb
Prevention
Reducing the risk of developing various health-related illnesses, diseases, or
conditions before the onset of such circumstances; prevention involves education,
personal commitment and teamwork
Primary Disabilities
Refers to those challenges that an individual experiences that are directly
related to a disorder or diagnosis
Private
The state of information being protected from public knowledge
Protective Factors
Positive influences that help protect a person or group against diseases and
other bad outcomes; these factors increase resiliency and help build positive
relationships
Psychedelics
A category of substances that have properties of stimulants and depressants as
well as properties that alter a person’s perception of reality
Psychosis
Symptoms of a serious mental illness including hallucinations and/or
delusions
Referral
A formal process that directs a client to another agency, professional, or
person for a service
Referral Source
The person, agency, or organization that referred the client to you
Release of Information
A formal document, completed by a client or client’s guardian, allowing you to
communicate with a referral source about specific information for a specified
amount of time
Residential Treatment
Long-term intervention that is helpful in changing behaviors that have not
responded to other types of treatment; it can take place in secure and unsecured
facilities
Resiliency
The ability to “bounce back” or to recover from change or misfortune;
resilient people use their hard times to make themselves stronger for future
hardships
Retentive Encopresis
A formal diagnosis involving the involuntary condition in which a child is
unable to control his bowel movements
Revenue Cycle
The process of managing tasks and processes within the medical community to
maximize organizational compliance and optimize cash flow
Risk Management
A coordinated effort to identify and avoid risk, reduce risk to clients,
contain and correct problems that affect clients and providers, and reduce and
manage legal risks to providers and employers
Running Away
Leaving home for long periods of time (days) or leaving without approval from
a guardian
Safety Plan
An agreed upon plan for managing or treating symptoms that may arise outside
the context of a therapeutic setting; a safety plan may involve local and social
supports
Screening Tool
A set of questions that health professionals can ask to find out about a
health concern, such as a person’s alcohol drinking habits
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
A formal diagnosis that involves patterns of mood problems at certain times of
the year, such as experiencing depression once winter begins).
Secondary Disabilities
Challenges that are not present at birth, but instead develop from a lack of
recognition or support for the primary disabilities
Self-harm
The act of a person causing intentional harm to himself; also known as
self-injury
Self-injury
The act of a person causing intentional harm to himself; also known as
self-harm
Sensory Processing
How the brain takes in and makes sense of sight, touch, taste, smell, hearing,
and movement
Separation Anxiety Disorder
A formal diagnosis given to a child who experiences persistent fear related to
being separated from one or both caregivers or other family members
Setting Fires
Intentionally burning a person’s property or belongings
Severely Emotionally Disturbed
Refers to a child who is severely limited or impaired by a diagnosed
disorder
Sexual Abuse
A form of abuse that occurs when a child is used for any sexual
activity
Sexual Aggression
Uninvited sexual behaviors or attitudes towards another person
Sexual Aggressor
The person who initiates acts of verbal or physical sexual aggression towards
another person
Sexually Reactive
A person acting out sexual behaviors that have been learned or observed; these
behaviors may be described as “inappropriate” for young children
Sibling Rivalry
Acts of jealousy, competition and fighting among brothers and sisters
(siblings)
Sleep Apnea
A medical condition that causes someone to stop breathing while sleeping;
requires medical attention
Sleep Walking
A sleep disorder that causes people to get up and walk around while
sleeping
Sober
Not intoxicated or under the influence; void of all substances
Social Anxiety
A formal diagnosis involving patterns of anxiety and excessive fear related to
social situations
Specific Anxiety
Fears or worries about a specific event or object
Spiritual Health
Knowledge, skills, and abilities related to a person’s personal code of
morals, values, beliefs and ethics, sense of self-worth, self-identity, practice
self-care, connect with people and the environment, and to engage in continued
sharing, learning and internal discovery
Stealing
Taking something that does not belong to you
Stimulants (Uppers)
A category of substances that temporarily increase different aspects of
physical and mental functioning
Stressor
Any object, person, event or other stimulus that is a source of
stress
Subsistence
Traditional culture and way of life; subsistence encompasses all the
practices, beliefs and values associated with hunting and gathering to provide
resources for family and community
Substance
A term commonly referring to alcohol and other substances, such as prescribed
and over-the-counter medicines, legal and illegal drugs
Substance Abuse
When a person uses a substance in a way that it was not intended to be used,
including excessive use of a substance
Substance Dependence
When a person is addicted to a substance
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
The sudden and unexpected death of an infant; the cause for the child’s death
is often uncertain or unexplained
Suicidal Ideations
Ideas or thoughts about killing oneself; also referred to as suicidal
thoughts
Suicidal Thoughts
Thoughts and ideas about killing oneself; also referred to as suicidal
ideations
Suicide
The act of a person intentionally killing himself; also referred to as
“taking” or “ending” a person’s own life
Suicide Attempts
A person’s unsuccessful effort to kill himself
Suicide Plan
A person’s plan to kill himself; it may include information about when, where,
and how the act will take place, attempts to prepare others, or thoughts of
killing someone else in addition to himself
Supervision
A process for providing professional support and learning, while also
monitoring and supporting clients’ health and wellbeing. Supervision occurs in
formal meetings, or informally as new or complex issues emerge. Supervision
requires effort from both the supervisor and the supervisee.
Temper Tantrum
An emotional outburst that is characterized by stubbornness, crying,
screaming, yelling, defiance, or angry rants
Teratogen
Refers to any substance that can cause developmental malformations. The
effects of a teratogen are dependent on how much of it is consumed (dose) and how
often (frequency); alcohol is a teratogen
Thin Upper Lip
Refers to the very small upper lip that occurs in individuals with
FAS
Traditional Practices
Historically valued ways of living, being, and interacting with people and an
environment, that is grounded in cultural values and beliefs
Transitional Situation
Significant life changing events or circumstances that often affect a person’s
daily functioning and may be evidenced by his difficulty adjusting to the new
conditions
Trauma
A cluster of symptoms caused by experiencing or witnessing an event or
situation that leaves the individual feeling intensely threatened, overwhelmed, or
otherwise unable to function in a healthy manner
Traumatic Brain Injury
Damage to brain, resulting from an injury
Traumatic Stress
The manner in which the body reacts to extreme stress
Treatment Plan
A treatment plan is a document that includes the patient's diagnosis,
presenting problem(s), goals for treatment, objectives to achieve goals, and
specific interventions or activities to meet the goals and objectives. Typically,
specific providers (e.g., BHA/P, clinicians, CHAP) will be identified to provide
different interventions.
Under the Influence
A state of being physically, mentally, or emotionally affected by alcohol or
another substance
Unexpected Outcome
A situation that results in a client having an unexpected response or reaction
to their treatment or treatment processes
Universal Screening
The process of using a screening tool to screen every person on a specific
topic, such as alcohol drinking habits
Vandalizing
Damaging or defacing someone else’s property or belongings
Verbal Sexual Aggression
Sexually explicit talk, including sexual messages sent or received via cell
phones or internet-based social media
Victim
The person who is the target of acts of aggression
Wellness
A healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit; this balance results in an
overall feeling of well-being
Wellness Activities
Activities that nurture a healthy mind, body and spirit
Withdrawal
A cluster of symptoms that develop when a person has stopped using a
substance; withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening and may require medical
attention
