NCE Study Guide

The Study Group is a space for listeners of this podcast to meet and discuss their NCE prep.

This episode isn’t just about prepping for a test—it’s about building community, owning your learning process, and redefining what success looks like in the face of pressure. Whether you’re weeks away or years out, this one’s for you. Let’s study smarter, together.

You can request to join the study group by emailing ncestudyguide@gmail.com

Cassian Andor didn’t just escape a crash — he landed in the middle of a fractured rebellion, where mistrust, fear, and instinct rule the day.
In this episode, we explore the early chaos of the Rebel Alliance through the lens of the human brain: the survival-driven basal ganglia, the emotional currents of the limbic system, and the emerging wisdom of the neocortex.

You'll meet the Maya Pei Brigade — not just a group of bickering rebels, but a mirror of your own nervous system under pressure.

Guided by a binaural beat soundscape (think: a bacta tank f...

Episode 1 – More Than Your Fear

When Cassian Andor climbs into a TIE fighter he’s never flown before, you feel your shoulders tense. You know he’s going to survive—this is a prequel, after all. But your body doesn’t care. That dissonance? It’s limbic resonance. And it’s just the beginning.

In this premiere episode of Accidental Therapy, Glenn Ostlund breaks down how Andor Season 2 uses cinematic storytelling to activate your nervous system—blurring the lines between what you think and what you feel. You’ll explore:

In this episode of the NCE Study Guide, we dive deep into one of the most testable and misunderstood areas of the NCE: Group Dynamics.

Learn to recognize and navigate the five stages of group development—forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning—and how they show up in NCE-style scenarios.

We break down real-world examples of group member roles (like the scapegoat and monopolizer), the emotional rhythm of group counseling, and essential terms like universality, cohesion, catharsis, and more.

Featuring practical tips and a 5-question mini quiz, this episode will help you think like...

What makes a test trustworthy?

This episode dives into validity and reliability—two essential concepts for anyone preparing for the NCE exam or learning how to ethically use assessments in counseling.

We explore how these ideas show up on the NCE, how to apply them in real-life practice, and how understanding them can help you avoid common pitfalls—like missing a passing score by one point.

🧠 This episode falls under the Assessment and Diagnostic Services work behavior domain and the CACREP Appraisal core content area.

💡 Inspired by a conversati...

Carl Jung – Archetypes, Shadow Work, and Counseling Applications

Episode Description:

In this episode of the NCE Study Guide, we take a deep dive into the foundational ideas of Carl Jung—his theories, legacy, and practical relevance for the National Counselor Examination. This module was inspired by Lily, a forward-thinking member of our Saturday study group who requested a focused exploration of Jungian psychology.

You’ll learn how concepts like the collective unconscious, archetypes, the Shadow, and individuation can show up on the NCE—not just in theory questions, but embedded in case vig...

Case Study Module 10: Maya, the Young Girl with Big Worries

This case study module presents a fictional scenario designed to prepare you for the NCE by examining key clinical competencies: ethical considerations, appropriate diagnoses, applicable modalities and interventions, and core exam content areas. Each module ends with an NCE-style quiz to reinforce your understanding and retention.

Case Overview:
Maya, an 8-year-old girl, presents with separation anxiety and school refusal following a recent move. This case includes child-specific assessment tools, play therapy, and CBT for kids, along with a family systems approach to...

In this first grassroots Zoom session of the NCE Study Group, Glenn brings together a diverse group of counseling students and recent test-takers from across the country—each with a unique story, study style, and set of challenges. One participant shares how a literal storm disrupted her exam and led to a second chance. Another reflects on the difficulty of connecting theory to real-life practice. The conversation touches on test anxiety, learning styles, why the “purple book” might not be enough, and how to approach the NCE as a skill-based, pattern-recognition test—not just memorization.

Glenn also shares t...

Case Study Module 9: Carlos, the Man with Many Masks

This case study module presents a fictional scenario designed to prepare you for the NCE by examining key clinical competencies: ethical considerations, appropriate diagnoses, applicable modalities and interventions, and core exam content areas. Each module ends with an NCE-style quiz to reinforce your understanding and retention.

Case Overview:
Carlos, a 38-year-old Latino male, is court-mandated to attend a domestic violence offender group. This case explores legal-ethical practice, group norms, and behavior change through the Duluth Model, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing. You'll examine how...

Case Study Module 8: Linda, the Grieving Widow

This case study module presents a fictional scenario designed to prepare you for the NCE by examining key clinical competencies: ethical considerations, appropriate diagnoses, applicable modalities and interventions, and core exam content areas. Each module ends with an NCE-style quiz to reinforce your understanding and retention.

Case Overview:
Linda, a 68-year-old woman, struggles with prolonged grief after losing her husband. This case highlights Worden’s Tasks of Mourning, Gestalt Therapy, and Narrative work in supporting older adults. You'll also explore assessment of complicated grief, somatic ex...