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Unlock the secrets to taking control of your life with reality therapy, a revolutionary approach that challenges traditional views on mental illness. Have you ever wondered why some people seem to navigate life's challenges with ease while others struggle? Discover how reality therapy empowers individuals to meet their fundamental psychological needs—like survival, belonging, power, fun, and freedom—by focusing on personal responsibility and effective behavior choices. In this episode of License Your Exams, Eric breaks down the eight essential steps of reality therapy and discusses pivotal concepts like positive addiction, failure identity, and success identity, providing invaluable insights for those prepping for licensing exams.

Join us as we unpack how reality therapists, following the philosophies of William Glasser, help clients take actionable steps to gain control over their environments and achieve greater fulfillment. From establishing trust and setting goals to creating actionable plans and enforcing accountability, learn how this therapeutic model rejects excuses and focuses on the present to foster meaningful change. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply curious about new approaches in therapy, this episode will equip you with a thorough understanding of how reality therapy can transform lives by insisting on effective behavior and personal accountability.

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.

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Ready to conquer your licensure exam with confidence? Join us as we uncover the crucial test-taking skills and mindset shifts you need to succeed. Stacey Frost and Dr. Linton Hutchinson tackle the myth that exam results define your intelligence or counseling prowess. Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, we delve into the importance of reading comprehension and higher-order cognitive skills like analysis and synthesis. Learn how to effectively connect a client's past and present relationship dynamics and develop tailored strategies for workplace conflicts, ensuring you demonstrate your knowledge under exam pressure.

Ever felt your exam prep is akin to returning to school? You're not alone. Our discussion highlights the intricate mental processes required for these challenging exams, emphasizing the need for quick, simultaneous thinking and efficient information synthesis. We'll guide you through the significant time and energy investment needed, equipping you with the mental agility to excel. With our insights and practical strategies, you'll not only boost your test-taking proficiency but also develop a healthier mindset towards your performance. Tune in and transform your approach to licensure exams!

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.

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Ready to ace your licensure exam and deepen your therapeutic knowledge? This episode of our Licensure Exams podcast promises to give you the insights you need by comparing mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy (MFT). Ever wondered how these two vital fields differ in their approach to treating clients? We'll break it down for you, starting with a mouth-watering tribute to Chicago's culinary scene before diving into the core principles of each therapy type. Learn how mental health counseling zeros in on an individual's internal world, while MFT focuses on the intricate dance of family dynamics and relational contexts.

Join us as we bring these concepts to life through a compelling case study of Clinton, a 30-year-old male battling anxiety and depression. You'll get a front-row seat to see how a therapist's approach shifts when working individually with Clinton versus engaging him and his wife Tracy in couples therapy. Our detailed walkthrough will illuminate the nuances and therapeutic techniques that distinguish these two fields, providing you with practical insights to enhance your exam preparation and professional practice. Tune in for this invaluable session that’s both educational and deliciously entertaining!

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 Message.

Unlock the mysteries of your mind and learn how your early relationships may be shaping your present-day interactions. In this episode, Stacey Frost and Dr. Linton Hutchinson transport you to the roaring 1920s to explore the fascinating world of object relations theory in psychotherapy. Through the lens of key terms such as objects, internalization, splitting, projective identification, and transference, we unravel the profound impact of our primary caregivers on our psychological development. Discover how dynamic internal objects and unconscious processes drive your relationships, and see how foundational psychodynamic techniques like free association and dream analysis can bring clarity and healing.

Get ready to meet Tracy, whose journey with chronic relationship issues stemming from her emotionally unavailable father serves as a poignant case study. Through empathetic and insightful therapy, Tracy learns to navigate the complex landscape of her internal objects and break free from old patterns to build healthier relationships. Stacey and Dr. Hutchinson also pepper the discussion with their personal connections to the topic, adding a layer of introspection and relatability. Whether you're a newcomer to psychotherapy or a seasoned professional, this episode promises a treasure trove of insights into the intricacies of our emotional lives. Grab your coffee, settle in, and let's dive into the captivating realm of object relations theory!

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 Message.

Ever wondered how to distinguish between mood and affect in a clinical setting? Join us on this episode of the Licensure Exams podcast with Dr. Linton Hutchinson and Stacey Frost as we uncover the critical differences that can transform your mental health assessments. We kick off with a lighthearted chat about weather differences in Florida and Michigan, before diving into how to identify and document mood and affect effectively. Learn to master terms like "euthymic" and "dysphoric," and understand their significance in diagnosing disorders such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Get ready to enhance your clinical practice with our deep dive into the nuances of mood and affect. From understanding anhedonia to recognizing the signs of elevated or expansive moods that could indicate mania, we cover it all. Discover how to use descriptors like congruent, incongruent, broad, and labile to accurately assess affect and gain insights into conditions such as schizophrenia and personality disorders. Plus, Stacey gives us a preview of an upcoming episode on adjustment disorder. Don’t miss out on this chance to sharpen your mental health assessment skills!

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 Message.

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 Message.

Ever wondered how therapists assess a client's cognitive health? Get ready to uncover the secrets of the Mental Status Exam (MSE) with me, Stacey, as we dissect critical cognitive elements like attention, concentration, orientation, memory, language, executive functioning, perception, judgment, and insight. We'll guide you through practical methods such as the digit span test, word recall, object naming, and the clock drawing test, showing you how to evaluate these functions with precision. This episode equips you with vital knowledge to enhance your therapeutic practice and ensure comprehensive cognitive assessments.

We'll also delve into the case study of Clinton, a 45-year-old male dealing with cognitive challenges, bringing theory to life. Learn how to interpret MSE results and understand their implications for diagnosis. Additionally, we'll discuss the importance of considering environmental, cultural, and situational factors, along with stress levels, medical conditions, and medications, in cognitive functioning. By the end of this episode, you'll grasp the significance of establishing a cognitive baseline for each client to track therapy progress effectively. Don't miss this chance to sharpen your skills and better support your clients' mental health.

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 Message.

Ever wondered how the intricacies of thought processes and thought content can unlock the mysteries of mental health diagnoses? Join me, Stacey Frost, on the Licensure Exams podcast as we demystify the Mental Status Exam (MSE), focusing on the nuances of how thoughts are formed and expressed. In this episode, we'll break down clinical terms like circumstantiality, tangentiality, flight of ideas, loose associations, perseveration, and thought blocking, shedding light on their roles in diagnosing bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, ADHD, and neurocognitive disorders.

We'll then shift gears to explore the captivating world of thought content, where we'll discuss delusions, obsessions, suicidal ideation, phobias, and magical thinking. Learn how these themes can be pivotal in diagnosing conditions such as schizophrenia, OCD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. Through detailed case studies, including that of Joseph, a 65-year-old client, you'll see how these observations can lead to accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. Don't miss this comprehensive guide designed to enrich your clinical practice and exam preparation.

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.