NCE Study Guide – Module 12: Unconscious Conflicts & Adapting Careers

Podcast Host: Glenn Ostlund
Date: December 17, 2024
Module: 12 of 20
Theme: Mock NCE Multiple-Choice Practice: Unconscious Conflicts, Core Counseling Theories, Ethics, Group Dynamics, Family Systems, Cultural Adaptation, Career Development, and Testing Concepts

Episode Overview

This episode dives into essential concepts covered in the National Counselor Examination (NCE), focusing on unconscious conflicts (Freud, Jung), constructivist approaches, ethics, career development (Super), multicultural adaptation, family systems, group roles, and psychometric reliability. Using an engaging audio flashcard format, Glenn Ostlund and his co-host guide listeners through 10 thoughtfully dissected mock exam questions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Primary Goal of Psychoanalytic Therapy

• Question: What is the primary goal of psychoanalytic therapy?
• Options: A. Challenging irrational beliefs, B. Resolving unconscious conflicts, C. Enhancing self-acceptance, D. Building coping skills
• Discussion:
  • “When I think about psychoanalysis, I think, like Freud, right? Like the couch and all those unconscious things messing us up.” (A, 01:42)
  • Host clarifies that psychoanalytic therapy is aimed at uncovering and resolving unconscious conflicts, not simply symptom relief.
  • Answer: B. Resolving unconscious conflicts
  • Memorable Quote: “It’s about bringing those hidden conflicts to the surface and working through them so you can live a more fulfilling life.” (B, 03:01)

2. Jung’s Collective Unconscious

• Question: In Carl Jung’s theory, which term refers to the shared reservoir of experiences and archetypes common to all humans?
• Options: A. Personal unconscious, B. Shadow, C. Collective unconscious, D. Anima
• Discussion:
  • Jung distinguished between the personal unconscious (unique to each person) and the collective unconscious (universal/shared).
  • Collective unconscious houses archetypes, shaping experience across cultures.
  • Answer: C. Collective unconscious
  • Memorable Quote: “Jung thought we all have our own personal unconscious…But he also believed there’s this deeper level, a shared pool of experiences that connects us all. The collective unconscious.” (A, 03:57)

3. Constructivist Counseling Approaches

• Question: What is a characteristic of constructivist counseling?
• Options: A. Emphasis on identifying cognitive distortions, B. Exploration of early childhood experiences, C. Focus on how clients create meaning from experiences, D. Use of standardized interventions
• Discussion:
  • Constructivist approaches emphasize personal meaning-making and subjective experience.
  • Not about standardized interventions or root-cause psychoanalysis.
  • Answer: C. Focus on how clients create meaning from their experiences
  • Quote: “It’s all about recognizing that each person creates their own truth and understanding.” (B, 06:27)

4. Ethical Principles – Nonmaleficence

• Question: Which ethical principle requires counselors to avoid causing harm?
• Options: Justice, Autonomy, Nonmaleficence, Beneficence
• Discussion:
  • Nonmaleficence means “do no harm”—the foundational principle in counseling ethics.
  • Distinct from beneficence (actively doing good) and autonomy (respecting client choices).
  • Answer: C. Nonmaleficence
  • Quote: “Do no harm. It’s a simple phrase, but so powerful—it’s the foundation of ethical practice.” (B, 07:39)

5. Thought Records in Therapy

• Question: Which counseling approach often uses thought records to challenge negative thinking?
• Options: Gestalt, REBT, Cognitive therapy, Existential
• Discussion:
  • Thought records = structured tool in CBT to identify and reframe negative thoughts.
  • REBT is similar but more confrontational; Gestalt and Existential have different foci.
  • Answer: C. Cognitive therapy
  • Quote: “It’s a practical and helpful way to manage those negative thought spirals.” (B, 08:55)

6. Super’s Developmental Theory in Career Counseling

• Question: What is the primary goal of career counseling according to Super’s developmental theory?
• Options: Matching personality to work environments, Early lifelong decisions, Adapting to career transitions, Analyzing vocational interests
• Discussion:
  • Super’s model emphasizes adaptations and transitions across the lifespan, not a single, permanent decision.
  • Answer: C. Assisting clients in adapting to career transitions across the lifespan
  • Quote: “It’s a lifelong journey, not just one decision you make and stick with forever.” (B, 09:33)

7. Acculturation and Cultural Adaptation

• Question: What term refers to adopting behaviors/values of a new culture?
• Options: Acculturation, Assimilation, Cultural relativism, Stereotyping
• Discussion:
  • Acculturation = integrating new cultural elements while retaining original ones; assimilation = complete blending.
  • Answer: A. Acculturation
  • Quote: “It’s about creating this unique blend of old and new, honoring both your original culture and the new one you’re adapting to.” (B, 11:47)

8. Family Systems Therapy – Homeostasis

• Question: In family systems therapy, what does homeostasis refer to?
• Options: Maintaining stability, Emotional detachment, Communication breakdown, Adapting to change
• Discussion:
  • Homeostasis = the family’s tendency to maintain current (even dysfunctional) patterns to keep balance.
  • Answer: A. The family’s tendency to maintain stability
  • Metaphor: “Family systems therapy. I always think of it like a mobile. You pull on one part, and the whole thing has to shift to regain balance.” (A, 12:18)

9. Group Dynamics – The Blocker Role

• Question: Which role disrupts group progress and creates tension?
• Options: Encourager, Follower, Blocker, Facilitator
• Discussion:
  • The “blocker” creates obstacles and tension, impeding group effectiveness.
  • Answer: C. Blocker
  • Quote: “The blocker—they resist every idea. They create drama. They just make things harder.” (B, 13:39)

10. Test-Retest Reliability

• Question: What type of reliability measures consistency of the same test at different times?
• Options: Interrater, Test-retest, Internal consistency, Split-half
• Discussion:
  • Test-retest checks stability of test scores over time—not to be confused with interrater or internal reliability.
  • Answer: B. Test-retest reliability
  • Example: “Like, if you take a personality test this week and next week, you’d expect to get similar results, right?” (A, 14:30)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “It’s about bringing those hidden conflicts to the surface and working through them so you can live a more fulfilling life.” (B, 03:01)
• “Jung thought we all have our own personal unconscious…But he also believed there’s this deeper level, a shared pool of experiences that connects us all. The collective unconscious.” (A, 03:57)
• “Do no harm. It’s a simple phrase, but so powerful—it’s the foundation of ethical practice.” (B, 07:39)
• “It’s all about recognizing that each person creates their own truth and understanding.” (B, 06:27)
• “Family systems therapy. I always think of it like a mobile. You pull on one part, and the whole thing has to shift to regain balance.” (A, 12:18)
• “The blocker—they resist every idea. They create drama. They just make things harder.” (B, 13:39)
• “It’s a lifelong journey, not just one decision you make and stick with forever.” (B, 09:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment / Question | Start Time | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Introduction and overview | 00:03 | | What is the primary goal of psychoanalytic therapy? | 01:24 | | Jung’s collective unconscious | 03:09 | | Constructivist counseling approaches | 04:49 | | Ethics: Do no harm (Nonmaleficence) | 06:37 | | Cognitive Therapy and thought records | 07:45 | | Super’s developmental theory in career counseling | 08:58 | | Acculturation vs. assimilation | 10:55 | | Family systems therapy: Homeostasis | 11:55 | | Group dynamics: The blocker role | 13:13 | | Test-retest reliability | 14:12 | | Review, encouragement, and closing remarks | 15:40 |

Tone and Structure

• Conversational, encouraging, accessible—memorable metaphors (“like a mobile”), real-life examples, and supportive affirmations.
• Directly explains why each answer is correct/wrong, referencing classic theorists and essential NCE topics.

Summary

Module 12 of the NCE Study Guide offers an interactive review of core counseling concepts likely to appear on the exam, blending psychoanalytic and developmental theory, multicultural and ethical practice, practical counseling tools, and group/family systems thinking. Through mock questions and in-depth conversation, Glenn and his co-host not only reinforce exam-ready knowledge but also support listeners’ growth and confidence as future counselors.

Perfect for auditory learners seeking structured, digestibly-paced content minus the filler.