successfully preparing for your - watershed counseling...
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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