Licensure Lifeline: NCE & NCMHCE Prep Podcast
Whether you're a student, a recent graduate, or a seasoned professional aiming for licensure, this podcast is designed to give you the edge you need to succeed.
Join us as we break down complex concepts, share insider tips, and explore essential topics that every counselor must know. With each episode, you'll gain valuable insights and practical strategies that will boost your confidence and help you excel on exam day.
But this podcast isn't just about studying—it's about inspiring you to become the best counselor you can be. We'll help you connect theory to practice and stay motivated throughout your licensure journey through engaging discussions, expert interviews, and real-life stories.
Tune in to the Counselor's Exam Prep Podcast and take the next step toward achieving your professional dreams. Subscribe now and start your path to licensure success!
Episodes
54 episodes
Split, Stuck, or Shut Down? Understanding Dissociative Disorders
What do you do when a client says they’ve lost time… or feel like they’re floating outside their body?In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we explore the hidden world of Dissociative Disorders—including Dissociative Ide...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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20:40
The Quiet Cluster: Cluster C Personality Disorders
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we dive into the often-overlooked world of Cluster C Personality Disorders—Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. These “quiet but complex” diagnoses show up frequentl...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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16:46
Focus, Spectrum, and Smarts: Navigating the Big Three for Licensure
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we go into the second show in the mini-series on the DSM-5—your essential roadmap for differential diagnosis on the licensure exams. Today, we zoom in on Neurodevelopmental Disorders, inclu...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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25:33
Breaking Down Feeding & Eating Disorders: What Every Exam Candidate (and Clinician) Should Know
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we take a deep dive into Feeding and Eating Disorders in the DSM-5—covering Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Pica, ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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30:20
50 and Still Motivating: The Power of MI in Therapy
In this special 50th episode of Licensure Lifeline, we revisit the most downloaded topic of the entire series: Motivational Interviewing (MI). Whether you’re studying for the NCE, NCMHCE, or prepping for your LC...
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23:06
From Talk to Tactics: The Art of Treatment Planning
What makes a treatment plan actually effective—for your clients and your exam?In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we dive deep into the essential skill of treatment planning. Whether you’re preparin...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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21:41
Clingy, Chill or Checked Out? A Look At Attachment Theory
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we take a deep dive into Attachment Theory, one of the most tested topics on the NCE and NCMHCE exams for aspiring mental health counselors and LCSWs. You’ll explore the found...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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20:55
Erikson’s Legacy: Psychosocial Development & Theories That Stick
In this insightful episode of Licensure Lifeline, host Matt Lawson breaks down Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, a core topic for anyone preparing for the NCE, NCMHCE, or LCSW licensure exams. Whether you’re...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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24:25
The 1-Year Anniversary Episode: Learning Styles & DSM-5 Essentials
In this 1-year anniversary special of Licensure Lifeline, we’re tackling the top 5 most confusing topics that show up again and again on the NCE, NCMHCE, and LCSW exams. Whether you’re struggling to tell BPD from Bipol...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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21:40
Developmental Disorders 101: What Shows Up, What Stands Out
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, host Matt Lawson breaks down the three most frequently tested neurodevelopmental disorders on the NCE, NCMHCE, and LCSW exams: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Intellect...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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28:06
Understanding Personality Disorders: The Cluster Breakdown
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, host Matt Lawson takes you on a deep dive into Personality Disorders—one of the most critical areas to master for the Licensure exams. Learn how to differentiate between Clus...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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24:47
Know Your Theorists: Who Shows Up on the Test (and Who Doesn’t)
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, host Matt Lawson breaks down the Top 5 counseling theorists every future therapist needs to know for the NCE, NCMHCE, and LCSW exam. Learn how key figures like Sigmu...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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13:31
Read Between the Lines: Mastering Vignettes for the Exam
In this special relaunch episode of Licensure Lifeline, host Matt Lawson dives into one of the most overlooked but essential skills for passing the NCMHCE, NCE, and LCSW exams: how to read vignettes like a therapist. Rather than memori...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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18:16
Differential Diagnosis: The First Episode of Many
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we dive into the art and science of differential diagnosis. We start with a fascinating look at the history of differential diagnosis, from early psychiatric misdiagnoses to the stru...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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14:51
Interview: Barton Bott From Passthencmhce.com
In this episode of the Licensure Lifeline Podcast, we sit down with Barton Bott, a seasoned expert in the DSM-5 and licensure exam preparation, to uncover the best strategies for passing the NCE and NCMHCE. With years of experience in clinical ...
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59:40
What the Bobo Doll Taught Us: Bandura’s Impact on Therapy
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we explore the groundbreaking work of Albert Bandura and how his social learning theory revolutionized psychology and therapy. From the famous Bobo doll experiment to the conc...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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20:29
The Art of Case Conceptualization
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we explore the art of case conceptualization, a critical skill for mental health therapists and a cornerstone of the NCMHCE. Starting with a compelling vignette about a challenging ...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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20:21
Scenario: Samantha, Bipolar I or Bipolar II?
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we tackle the complexities of initial assessments through an engaging case study of Samantha, a 28-year-old client presenting with symptoms that may indicate bipolar disorder. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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14:32
The Power of Family: Exploring Adlerian Therapy’s Core Ideas
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Adlerian Therapy with a special focus on family dynamics. Explore the groundbreaking contributions of Alfred Adler, the psychologist who redefined how we understand our roles...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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16:26
What’s Strong, Not What’s Wrong: A Guide to Positive Psychology
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we explore the origins and impact of Positive Psychology, beginning with the pivotal moment in Martin Seligman’s garden that sparked a revolutionary shift in the field of psychology. We dive ...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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13:46
Turning Turmoil into Triumph: Crisis Counseling 101
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we delve into the critical role of crisis intervention in counseling, particularly as it applies to brief therapy. We’ll explore how counselors can effectively address acute distress by focusing on ...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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13:43
Exploring the Depths: Carl Jung and the Collective Unconscious
In this episode, we dive into the world of Carl Jung, exploring his revolutionary contributions to psychology and counseling. From his break with Freud to the development of Analytical Psychology, we uncover key concepts like the collective unc...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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14:25
Rewiring Trauma: An Introduction to EMDR
In this episode, we explore the transformative power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, diving into its origins, core principles, and applications in modern counseling. We trace the history of EMDR, from Francine S...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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10:51
Let's Get Meta: Exploring Meta-Analysis
In this episode, we explore the powerful research tool of meta-analysis, explaining how it synthesizes findings from multiple studies to provide a clearer picture of treatment effectiveness. We also explore its applications in coun...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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11:17
Clingy, Distant, or Just Right: Exploring Adult Attachment Styles
In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, we explore Attachment Theory and its impact on adult relationships. Starting with the foundational work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, we break down the four primary attac...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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12:57
