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Passing your National Licensing Exam
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Passing your National Licensing Exam

Author: Linton Hutchinson, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC

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Getting licensed can open up incredible opportunities, but the exam can seem daunting. Our podcasts make passing more achievable and even fun. Dr Hutchinson and Stacy’s energy and passion for this content will get you motivated and confident. 

We break things down in understandable ways - no stuffiness or complexity and focus on the critical parts you need so your valuable study time counts. You’ll come away feeling like, “I can do this!” Whether it’s nailing down diagnoses, theoretical approaches, or applying ethics in challenging situations, we help you get into a licensed mindset. Knowledge domains we cover in these podcasts include:

Professional Practice and Ethics
Intake, Assessment, & Diagnosis
Areas of Clinical Focus
Treatment Planning
Counseling Skills and Interventions
Core Counseling Attributes
And, of course, the DSM-5-TR. 

If you listen, you might surprise yourself at how much you absorb and enjoy it along the way. Take that first step – you’ll gain confidence and valuable skills and feel confident getting ready for your licensing exam!

159 Episodes
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Send us a text What if the fastest way to change a family pattern is to move your feet and say fewer words? We open the door to family constellation therapy with a practical walkthrough of the exact techniques we use to reveal hidden loyalties, restore order, and free up energy for the present. Instead of rehashing history, we map it in space, listen to the body, and let truth do the heavy lifting. We start with the representative technique, arranging people or markers to stand in for family...
Send us a text Ever wonder why some clients carry guilt or grief that doesn’t match their personal history? We take a clear, practical look at family constellation therapy and how hidden orders and loyalties can create entanglements that ripple through generations. Drawing on systemic principles—belonging, honoring those who came before, and balance in giving and taking—we show how symptoms like chronic anxiety, intimacy struggles, and repeating relationship patterns can be the system’s attem...
Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory

2025-11-2406:28

Send us a text What if the fastest way to help a client change is to make safety unmistakable? We take you from Bowlby’s core ideas to concrete moves you can use tomorrow, showing how early bonds shape adult relationships, emotion regulation, and the choices people make under stress. Instead of memorizing terms for the licensure exam, we connect secure base behavior—proximity seeking, separation distress, and exploration—to what you can see and name in session. We walk through the major atta...
Send us a text A ceiling fan that rattles and wobbles shouldn’t be fixed with more power—it needs balance. We take that same idea to focus and studying, showing how attention breaks down when life pulls unevenly on your time, energy, and commitments. Instead of forcing willpower, we walk through a kinder reset: recognizing what your current schedule protects, carving intentional time for learning, and using a short journaling practice to uncover the real reasons you resist prioritizing study....
Send us a text If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.
Send us a text If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.
Finding time to study

Finding time to study

2025-10-2201:40

Send us a text Time truly is like an ever-rolling stream, and like any boater knows – either you control it, or it controls you! The closer your exam time comes, the more you become aware that your ability to manage your time is key to your success. First is awareness of priorities, and that means looking at where you spend your time. Your job, your family, eatin...
Send us a text If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.
Send us a text Think a restless math class means ADHD? We peel back the layers to show how a specific learning disorder can masquerade as attention problems in one subject while everything else looks fine. With Hannah at the table, we walk through clear criteria, real classroom clues, and the practical ways to separate ADHD, SLD, or both—so kids get the right help faster. We start with the three core domains of specific learning disorder—reading, written expression, and mathematics—and outli...
Send us a text The line between genuine ADHD and everyday distractibility can feel blurry—until you know what to look for. We open the case file and walk through a clear, practical way to identify ADHD: symptoms that begin before age twelve, persist over time, and cause real impairment across settings like home, school, and friendships. No shortcuts, no vibes—just a grounded approach that blends criteria with real-life context. Together, we unpack what inattention really looks like beyond “s...
Send us a text We've got a fantastic guest with us today. Her name is Hannah Salazar, and she is both a therapist AND a professional school counselor. She also tutors new therapists as they work to pass their NCMHCE licensure exam. So, if you need one-on-one tutoring, send Hannah an email at: Info@TheGoodNeuron.com ... and I'm sure she'll get you up to speed for your exam. Ever met a client whose childhood “quirks” suddenly became roadblocks at work, at home, or in relationships? We dig...
Send us a text If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.
Send us a text Struggling with setting effective therapy goals? Look no further than the SMART framework, a powerful approach that transforms vague client aspirations into concrete, achievable outcomes. Drawing a clever parallel between the 1960s TV show "Get Smart" and today's clinical practice, this episode unpacks everything therapists need to know about creating goals that actually work. The SMART method—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—provides the perfect stru...
Send us a text Ever found yourself mixing up avoidant and dependent personality disorders? You're not alone. This episode delivers a crystal-clear framework to distinguish between these commonly confused diagnoses—essential knowledge for passing your licensing exam. Dr. Linton Hutchinson cuts through the complexity to reveal the golden difference: motivation. While both disorders share features like interpersonal difficulties, low self-esteem, and comorbidity with anxiety and depression, the...
Send us a text Vanishing identities, sudden relocations, and complete memory loss—welcome to the fascinating world of dissociative amnesia with fugue. Ever wonder what happens when someone's mind creates the ultimate escape hatch from unbearable psychological pain? Dissociative fugue represents an extraordinary psychological defense mechanism where individuals not only lose their autobiographical memories but may travel hundreds of miles away and assume entirely new identities. What makes th...
Send us a text Nicotine dependence isn't just about willpower—it's a complex physiological and psychological phenomenon that requires sophisticated assessment tools to properly understand and treat. Today we dive into the science behind two gold-standard assessments that every mental health professional should know: the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC). The Fagerstrom Test has become the benchmark for measuring physical dependence in establi...
Send us a text In a therapeutic context, emotional heightening may be used to help a client explore and process their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Here's an example: Therapist: "Tell me about a recent situation that triggered strong emotions for you." Client: "I had an argument with my partner, and I felt really angry and frustrated." Therapist (Emotional Heightening): "Let's explore those feelings a bit more. Take a moment to close your eyes, and imagine yourself back in...
Defense Mechanisms

Defense Mechanisms

2025-08-1510:20

Send us a text If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.
Send us a text Reflection of meaning refers to the process of summarizing or restating the underlying significance or message of what someone has expressed. It involves capturing the core essence of the speaker's words or actions and conveying it back to them. By reflecting the meaning, a listener demonstrates their understanding and shows that they have grasped the deeper implications or intentions behind the communication. This technique is commonly used in counseling, therapy, or active li...
Send us a text Throughout this episode, we demonstrate various strategies for reflecting content, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and using open-ended questions. We also provide real-life examples of how this technique can be applied in a therapeutic context, leading to new insights, challenging thought patterns, and fostering personal growth. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your communication skills and create a more supportive, empathetic environment for yourself and others. Refl...
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