NCE Study Guide – Module 11 of 20

Host: Glenn Ostlund
Date: December 16, 2024
Episode Focus: Practice Questions 101–110 with In-Depth Explanations

Episode Overview

This episode of the NCE Study Guide podcast dives into Module 11 (of 20), guiding listeners through ten mock multiple-choice questions similar to those on the National Counselor Exam (NCE). Glenn (and his AI assistant co-host) break down essential counseling concepts, real-world scenarios, and theories in an easy-to-digest, conversational format. The primary aim: to make complex information accessible, memorable, and practical—helping listeners study smarter and prepare for both the exam and counseling practice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Techniques (Scaling Questions)

• Question 101: Which technique in solution-focused brief therapy has clients rate their progress on a numerical scale?
  • Options: Miracle question, scaling question, coping question, reframing.
  • Explanation:
    • Miracle Question: “Imagine you wake up tomorrow and poof, it’s gone. What does your day look like now?” (01:58, C)
    • Scaling Question: “On a scale from 1 to 10, where are you right now?” Helps clients track progress and stay motivated. (02:25, A; 02:35, C)
    • Coping Question: Focuses on strengths—“Even with everything going on, what helps you get through the day?” (02:53, C)
    • Reframing: Finding a new, empowering perspective, e.g., “Maybe you just need to recharge, not that you’re lazy.” (03:16, A)
  • Correct Answer: Scaling question—uses numbers to assess progress. (03:52, C)

2. Dual Relationships in Counseling Ethics

• Question 102: What is a dual relationship?
  • Options include cultural differences, relationships outside therapy, integrating modalities, referrals.
  • Discussion:
    • Dual relationship = having both personal and professional ties to a client. “This is a red flag... a major ethical violation for sure.” (04:53, A)
    • Challenges: objectivity compromised, possible harm to client and counselor’s reputation. (05:07, A; 05:11, C)
  • Correct Answer: Having both a personal and professional relationship with a client. (06:08, C)
  • Notable Quote: “It’s a major conflict of interest.” (06:14, C)

3. Clinical Supervision Purpose

• Question 103: Main purpose of clinical supervision.
  • Options: evaluating client, upskilling supervisee, resolving personal issues, diagnosing clients.
  • Key Points:
    • Focus is on supervisee’s growth: “Supervision is all about learning and growing as a therapist…it’s a chance for newer therapists to get guidance from people who’ve been doing it for a while.” (07:08, C)
    • Distinguishes between supervision and therapy for supervisee. (07:35, C)
  • Correct Answer: Enhancing the supervisee’s skills and ethical practice. (08:10, C)

4. Postmodern Counseling Approaches (Narrative Therapy)

• Question 104: Characteristic feature of postmodern counseling approaches.
  • Options: universal truths, unconscious motivations, collaboration, standardized techniques.
  • Key Insight: “Postmodernism really challenges that idea of a single universal truth…It’s more about recognizing there are lots of different perspectives.” (08:54, C)
  • Narrative therapy: collaboration, client as expert of their life. (09:49, C)
  • Correct Answer: Collaboration and focus on client’s unique perspectives. (10:21, C)

5. Crisis Intervention Priorities

• Question 105: Most important first step in crisis intervention.
  • Options: long-term reflection, stabilizing/safety, underlying issues, exploring traumas.
  • Key Message: “Safety comes first. We’ve got to make sure the client is safe physically and emotionally.” (11:29, C)
  • Analogy: “It’s kind of like if there’s a fire. First you gotta put the fire out. Then you can worry about the damage.” (12:05, C)
  • Correct Answer: Stabilize the client and ensure their safety. (12:38, C)

6. Reality Therapy – “Quality World” Concept

• Question 106: Focus of “quality world” in reality therapy.
  • Notable Definition: “The quality world is basically a picture of what the client wants their life to look like. It includes hopes, dreams, values…” (13:18, C)
  • Correct Answer: A person’s internalized vision of their ideal life. (14:28, C)

7. Benefits of Open-ended Questions

• Question 107: Benefit of using open-ended questions.
  • Highlight: “Open-ended questions are all about letting the client express themselves freely…You want to get them talking.” (15:13, C)
  • Encourages elaboration and richer responses. (15:28, A)
  • Correct Answer: They encourage clients to elaborate and share more details. (16:27, C)

8. Reinforcement Schedules (Operant Conditioning)

• Question 108: Schedule that produces high, steady responses with minimal pauses.
  • Slot machine analogy: “Think of a slot machine…You never know when you’re going to win. And that keeps you playing.” (17:54, A)
  • Correct Answer: Variable ratio. (18:21, C)
  • Memorable moment: “Unpredictability is a powerful motivator.” (18:23, A)

9. Multicultural Counseling – Stereotyping

• Question 109: What is it called when you assume everyone in a group shares the same traits?
  • Highlight: “Stereotypes can be really damaging and hurt your relationship with a client.” (19:24, C)
  • Cultural competence and relativism discussed as alternatives. (19:50, C)
  • Correct Answer: Stereotyping. (20:25, A)

10. Erikson’s Stages – Middle Adulthood Conflict

• Question 110: Erikson’s main conflict for middle adulthood.
  • Stages briefly reviewed:
    • Intimacy vs. Isolation = young adulthood
    • Identity vs. Role Confusion = adolescence
    • Generativity vs. Stagnation = middle adulthood (“It’s about contributing to something bigger…feeling like you’re making a positive impact on the world.” (21:52, C))
    • Ego Integrity vs. Despair = old age
  • Correct Answer: Generativity vs. Stagnation. (22:29, C)
  • Memorable quote: “Wanting to create something that lasts.” (22:34, A)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Safety comes first. We’ve got to make sure the client is safe both physically and emotionally.” — C (11:29)
• “Supervision is all about learning and growing as a therapist…It’s a chance for newer therapists to get guidance from people who’ve been doing it for a while.” — C (07:08)
• “Open-ended questions are all about letting the client express themselves freely.” — C (15:13)
• “Unpredictability is a powerful motivator.” — A (18:23)
• “It’s about contributing to something bigger than yourself…feeling like you’re making a positive impact on the world.” — C (21:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:30 — Solution-focused therapy question (scaling question breakdown)
• 04:03 — Dual relationships and ethical dilemmas
• 06:19 — Clinical supervision’s purpose
• 08:27 — Postmodern approaches (narrative therapy)
• 10:46 — Crisis intervention priorities
• 12:54 — Reality therapy, “quality world”
• 14:41 — Open-ended vs. closed questions
• 16:44 — Reinforcement schedules (operant conditioning)
• 18:31 — Multicultural counseling, stereotyping
• 20:41 — Erikson’s middle adulthood stage

Summary Takeaway

This episode acts as an engaging, audio “flashcard” session, covering high-yield NCE topics: therapeutic techniques, ethics, crisis protocols, counseling theories, multicultural awareness, and developmental stages. Listeners get more than just the “what”—they’re offered “why” and “how,” with real-life context and memorable analogies.
Keep studying and practicing—connecting these concepts is how you’ll ace both the test and your counseling practice! (23:20, C)