Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a behavioral therapy that balances acceptance and change strategies to teach individuals how to improve their relationships with thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations to become more functional in everyday life.

An Administrative Service Organization (ASO) is under contract with the Mental Hygiene Administration to provide administrative services, including reviewing the utilization of public mental health care, giving authorization for mental health care, processing payment to the mental health care providers, and conducting quality assurance audits and surveys.

An Adolescent Clubhouse is a community-based safe space for adolescents with persistent mental health or substance use issues. Child, Adolescent, & Youth Services

Adult Protective Services (APS) are provided by the Department of Social Services to ensure adults are not abused, neglected, or abandoned.

An Advanced Directive (AD) is a written statement by an individual, 18 years or over, which details how they wish medical decisions to be made, or appoints an individual to make medical decisions, should they become unable to do so.

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses ((PMH- APRN) assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders. PMH-APRNs are credentialed to prescribe medication and administer psychotherapy.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood, such as exposure to violence, abuse, or substance use, that can change brain development as well as how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. 

The Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as Obamacare, intends to make healthcare insurance, including Medicaid, affordable and available to more people.

Al-Anon Family Groups, commonly referred to as Al-Anon, is a free support program for families and friends affected by a loved one’s alcohol use. Meetings allow people to share their common experiences and provide mutual support. ( https://al-anon.org/)