SUCCESSFULLY PREPARING FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING EXAM

Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D.Grad School Coaching

www.gradschoolcoaching.com

2017

For questions about the LPC Requirements in your State, visit the following links:

• State’s Licensure Information - NBCC

• Counselor License by State

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

States Licensure Professional Counseling Information

Overview: Pennsylvania Counselor Licensure Information Websites

PA WEBSITES SITE WITH DETAILED INFORMATION

• Professional Counselor Licensure Information

• Pennsylvania State Board Application for LPC (6/2016)

• PA LPC Board 2012 FAQ Page

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D.

Overview: New Jersey Counselor Licensure Requirements

NJ WEBSITES SITE WITH DETAILED INFORMATION

• New Jersey Counseling Association - (brief overview of licensing)

• New Jersey Professional Counselor Laws • Licensed Counseling Associate • License Professional Counselor

• New Jersey State Licensure Board

• Applications for New Jersey (10/1/16)

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D.

Two Exams: NCE & NMHCE

• Both created by NBCC (National Board of Certified Counselors)

• NCE - Handbook (download) 11/2016

• NMHCE - Handbook (download) 11/2016

• Used for: • State Counselor Licensure Credentialing • National Counselor Certification

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Pennsylvania & New Jersey Licensing Exam information for Counseling Grad School Counseling, LLC

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Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D.

Acronym Description

Related Body Uses

Name of Licensing for Counseling Per State

Handbook Link

Exam Registration

Info.Additional Information

NCENational

Counseling Exam

NBCC

Required Exam for PA & NJ for Licensure as a Professional Counselor (Additional State Info)

PA = LPC

NJ = 1. LCA 2. LPC Additional State Info

Link for: Handbook

for NCE

Pennsylvania see far right of page

New Jersey see far right of page

NCMHCE

National Clinical

Mental Health Counseling Exam

NBCC

Optional Exam in PA - State counselor licensure in a smaller number of states - National certification as a clinical mental health counselor

Link for: Handbook

for NCMHCE

NCC National

Counselor

Certification

NBCCPart of NCC application process is taking NCE

NBCC

National Board of

Certified Counselors

NBCC Exam Types per State

CPCECounselor Preparation

Comprehensive Examination

NBCC

Used by counseling graduate schools often as exit requirement to obtain a degree

EMACExamination for

Master Addictions Counselors

NBCC

Overview NMHCE

• NCMHCE = National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination

• covers a broad area of competencies

• Meant to “sample broad area of competencies, not just recall

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Overview NMHCE

• NCMHCE = National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination

• 10 clinical simulations (case vignettes) • 9 scores, 1 pre-tested for future exams

• Each case divided into 5 - 8 sections • Informational Gathering (IG) • Decision Making (DM)

• 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

NCMHCE - Content Areas

1. Assessment & Diagnosis

2. Counseling & Psychotherapy

3. Administration, Consultation & Supervision

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

NCMHCE - Content Areas

1. Assessment & Diagnosis(includes but is not limited to):

q Integrate client assessment & observational data

q Identify precipitating problems or symptoms

q Identify individual and/or relationship functioning

q Identify relevant family issues

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

NCMHCE Content Areas

2. Counseling & Psychotherapy (includes but is not limited to):

q Inform client about ethical standards & practice

q Clarify counselor/client roles

q Implement individual counseling in relation to a plan of treatment

q Evaluate referral information

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

NCMHCE Content Areas

3. Administration, Consultation & Supervision (includes but is not limited to):

q Maintain case notes, records and/or files

q Determine if services meet client’s needs

q Correspond orally with others to maintain professional communications

q Assist clients with obtaining social services

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

NCE (National Counseling Exam)

Format Ø Multiple choice questions Ø 200 questions total

§ 160 = Scored on your Performance

§ 40 = Question Analysis for future questions

Ø 4 hour format (average 2 hours & 45 minutes)

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D.

Overview of NCE

(2017)

Format of NCE

Ø Important to answer ALL questions

Ø NCE does NOT use “correction for guessing”

= NO PENALTY FOR GUESSING

Ø Respond to as many questions as possible

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Content areas of NCE

q 8 Core Areas • Content

q 5 Work Behavior Areas • Context

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

CORE AREAS (CONTENT)

Fundamental Counseling Issues

32 items

Counseling Process 45 items

Diagnostic & Assessment

Services 25 items

Professional Practice

38 items

Professional Development,

Supervision and Consultation

20 items

Human Growth & Development (12)

Social & Cultural Diversity (11)

Helping Relationships (36)

Group Work (16)

Career Development (20)

Assessment (20)

Research & Program Evaluation (16)

Professional Orientation & Ethical Practice (29)

WORK BEHAVIOR AREAS (CONTEXT)

Areas of NCE Exam

Recent Changes to NCE

• Slight name changes Work Behavior Areas (Context) • same 8 Core Content areas of the exam • same # of questions in 8 core content areas of exam • focus on the 8 content areas

• Addictions & Family Therapy question

• DSM 5 - NBCCs Information re: Exams and DSM5

• (Click here for overview of changes in DSM5)

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Types of Questions on NCE

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

3 Cognitive Levels of Questions

I. Recall

II. AppliedIII. Analysis

Types of Questions on NCE

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Level IRecall

• Isolated facts

• Applying information from memory

Types of Questions on NCE

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Level IIApplied

• Applying minimal problem solving skills

• Application of constructs (ex: applying a theory or an ethical scenario)

• Ethical scenario involving a counselor’s action or decision

• What to Keep in Mind for Ethical Scenarios • Adhere to the basics • Do NOT ADD in your mind “if it was this way, then” or “but if it was also about”

• Do no harm • what is for the greater good • do not act in isolation / take dilemma to your supervisor

Question Type II = Application in the form of a Scenario

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Types of Questions on NCE

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Level IIIAnalysis

• Pulling together elements

• Applying good judgment

& problem solving

Framing Your Plan of Study Based Upon:

• Practice Exam Results

• Individualized Plan

Studying for the NCE

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Studying for the NCE Assessing Your Knowledge Base

Close to context as possible

• Use a full practice exam • No interruptions, phone, email, texting, etc. • Do not take notes at this time about what you do not know • Set a timer for 4 hours • Grading = overall AND by each core behavior areas

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Additional Sample Questions for NCE

FIRST STEP = TAKE A PRACTICE EXAM

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

CORE AREAS (CONTENT)

Fundamentals of Counseling Issues

Counseling Process

Diagnostic & Assessment

Service

Professional Practice

Professional Development, Supervision & Consultation

Human Growth & Development (12)

Social & Cultural Diversity (11)

Helping Relationships (36)

Group Work (16)

Career Development (20)

Assessment (20)

Research & Program Evaluation (16)

Professional Orientation & Ethical Practice (29)

WORK BEHAVIOR AREAS (CONTEXT)

NCE Study Prep Matrix Planner Distinguishing your Strengths & Areas Needing Additional Study

When: Set a Schedule

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Week Topic Reading Assignment

1A Harder Topic Book Ch. Task

1B Easier Topic Book Ch. Task

2A Harder Topic Book Ch. Task

2B Easier Topic Book Ch. Task

3A Harder Topic Book Ch. Task

3B Easier Topic Book Ch. Task

What to Study

1. Know T2 (Theorists & Theories) •Theorist - name recognition

q ex: “Skinner’s understanding of behavioral therapy focused on…”

• Theory = collection of concepts, ideas, principles, skills, & professional practices

• Order of stage theories

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

How to Study

Memorization

q Use of Mnemonics qRhyme, easily remembered sentence or acronym to

assist in remembering a group of ideas

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

q Ex: Holland’s vocational interest areas q Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, & Conventional

q “Really, I Am So Excited and Cool!” (SAY OUT LOUD)

q relate the mnemonics of the sentence to the topic q i.e. If you got a new job, what might you say?

How to Study

Memorization (con’t)

• Getting the most out of your Mnemonics

• Get into exam, immediately write down key mnemonics & acronyms

• May be in different order so have acronym written & check off letters

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

• When outright Memorization is needed: • USE all your senses (say out loud, write index cards) • Practice

Study Resources:

q Recommended Books

How to Study

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Study Material Links

Examples: Click on Links to go to Sites (Note: these are examples, others exist throughout the web and bookstores)

u Books & Related Study Materials

u Flashcard Resources

u Flashcards

u Practice Flashcards

u App for Flashcards

u Flashcard do it yourself study method

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Study Material Links

Examples: Click on Links to go to Sites (Note: these are examples, others exist throughout the web and bookstores)

u Apps

u The Encyclopedia of Counseling Exam Prep App u Quiz Questions App

u Condensed Outlines = NCE Counseling Exam Testing TidBits = NCMHCE Exam Testing Tidbits

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Study Material Links

Examples: Click on Links to go to Sites (Note: these are examples, others exist throughout the web and bookstores)

u Audio • Podcasts, CDs, etc.

• NCE • NCMHCE

u Visuals

• Outlines: • creating your own or through a study group • existing on the web

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Day of the Exam

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Bring that Day: 1. NCE Participation Authorization letter

2. Two forms of identification NOTE: one must be picture ID

3. Bring a Watch (no cell phones)

Do Not Bring into the exam space:

- paper, books, computer, phone, etc.

Know exactly what time begins & arrive early

1. Read the question in its ENTIRETY

2. Avoid filling in more information in your mind

3. Try to formulate an answer BEFORE looking at the choices - cover the choices - find an answer that is closest to your answer

4. There is not a set pattern to answers choices on exams

5. Careful not to fall for the distractors answers

6. Use of + - ?

Grad School Coaching - Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D. (2017)

Grad School Coaching, llcwww.gradschoolcoaching.com

Day of the Exam - Test Taking Strategies

SUCCESSFULLY PREPARING FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING EXAM

Jeanne Stanley, Ph.D.Grad School Coaching

www.gradschoolcoaching.com