Passing your National Licensing Exam - podcast cover

Passing your National Licensing Exam

Linton Hutchinson, Ph.D., LMHC, NCClicensureexams.com

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!

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Episodes

Theory to Therapy: Contextual Family Therapy, Part 2

Send us a text What if your relationship conflicts were deeply rooted in family legacies you never chose? Join us as Stacy Frost and Dr. Linton Hutchinson explore the complexities of contextual family therapy, revealing how Tracy and Clinton, a high-achieving couple, navigate their chronic conflicts and emotional dissatisfaction. We dissect how their family histories, marked by entitlement and indebtedness, influence their destructive relational patterns, leading to cycles of criticism and withd...

Aug 13, 20248 min

Theory to Therapy: Contextual Family Therapy, Part 1

Send us a text What if the key to resolving family conflicts lies in understanding hidden relational debts and credits? Join Stacy Frost and Dr. Linton Hutchinson as they uncover the transformative power of contextual family therapy. In this episode of Theory to Therapy, we break down the essential concepts of relational ethics, the relational ledger, and multi-directed partiality. Dr. Hutchinson shares his expertise on how this approach helps families rebuild trust and accountability by focusin...

Aug 09, 202410 min

Demystifying Disorders: Frotteuristic Disorder

Send us a text Discover the hidden depths of Frotteuristic disorder with us and how it intersects with complex legal and psychological landscapes. In this enlightening episode, we promise you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of this rare paraphilic disorder, from its historical roots in Richard von Krafft-Ebing's 19th-century work to the detailed diagnostic criteria laid out in the DSM-5-TR. Dr. Linton Hutchinson joins Stacy Frost to break down the necessity of recurring urges, the distress...

Aug 06, 202417 min

Defense Mechanisms: Repression vs Suppression

Send us a text What if you could understand the hidden forces shaping your emotional life? Join us as Dr. Linton Hutchinson and Stacy Frost unravel the complexities of repression and suppression, two defense mechanisms that play crucial roles in mental health. We promise you'll gain deep insights into how these mechanisms operate differently—repression as an unconscious process and suppression as a conscious effort. By dissecting these concepts, Linton and Stacy provide clarity on how they prote...

Aug 02, 202413 min

What's Preventing Me From Passing? Part 3

Send us a text What if you could transform your test-taking anxiety into a source of confidence and clarity? On today's episode of the Licensure Exams podcast, we unravel the secrets to mastering tricky multiple-choice questions and overcoming the psychological barriers that often hold test-takers back. By immersing yourself in regular practice with sample questions and simulated exams, you'll not only reinforce your content knowledge but also fine-tune your timing and pacing. We delve into the ...

Jul 30, 20247 min

What's Preventing Me From Passing? Part 2

Send us a text Ever wonder why some people seem to breeze through exams while others struggle? What if we told you there are specific strategies that can make all the difference in your test-taking journey? Join us as we promise you a comprehensive guide to mastering effective exam strategies and answer selection techniques that can boost your confidence and improve your scores. In this episode, we'll share actionable insights on adopting a mindset that mimics real exam conditions to reduce anxi...

Jul 26, 20249 min

Theory to Therapy: Reality Therapy

Send us a text 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, fail...

Jul 24, 20245 min

What's Preventing Me From Passing? Part 1

Send us a text 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. Stacy 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 ...

Jul 23, 202411 min

Exam Differences Between MHC and MFT

Send us a text 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, diving into the core principles of each therapy type. Learn how mental health counseling zeros in on an individual's internal world, ...

Jul 19, 20249 min

Theory to Therapy: Unlocking Early Relationship Patterns with Object Relations

Send us a text Learn how your early relationships may be shaping your present-day interactions. In this episode, Stacy 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 inte...

Jul 16, 20249 min

MSE: Mood and Affect

Send us a text 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 Stacy Frost as we uncover the critical differences that can transform your mental health assessments. 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...

Jul 12, 202417 min

Developmental: Freud vs Erikson

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.

Jul 09, 20242 min

MSE: Evaluating Cognitive Functioning

Send us a text Ever wondered how therapists assess a client's cognitive health? Get ready to uncover the secrets of the Mental Status Exam (MSE) 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 e...

Jul 05, 202410 min

MSE: Thought Process and Content Explained

Send us a text Ever wondered how the intricacies of thought processes and thought content can unlock the mysteries of mental health diagnoses? Join me, Stacy 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 ...

Jul 02, 202411 min

Cultural Competency: Tailoring Therapy to Diverse Clients

Send us a text How can therapists provide more culturally attuned care? That's the central question we tackle in this episode on multicultural competency in therapy. We promise you'll come away with actionable insights for adapting your therapeutic approach to better align with your clients' unique cultural backgrounds. We delve into the case of Seo Joon, a first-generation Korean-American who struggles with the competing demands of his family's traditional values and his desire for independence...

Jun 28, 202420 min

Demystifying Disorders: Treating Co-Occurring Disorders

Send us a text What if managing both substance use and mental health issues could be made less overwhelming? Tune in as we uncover the secrets to effective treatment interventions for co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnoses. We promise you'll gain valuable insights into why a comprehensive approach is crucial and how key techniques—like building a robust therapeutic alliance and using motivational interviewing—can make a significant difference. Visual analogies help simplify the com...

Jun 25, 202413 min

Defense Mechanisms: Projection vs. Displacement

Send us a text Ever wondered why you might lash out at a barista when you're actually upset with your boss? Or perhaps you've accused someone of the very thing you're struggling with internally? Buckle up for a journey into the human mind with Stacy Frost and Dr. Linton Hutchinson as we dissect the psychological defense mechanisms of projection and displacement. In a blend of enlightening dialogue and humor, we peel back the layers on these defense mechanisms, revealing how they mold our relatio...

May 17, 202417 min

Crisis Case Study: What are the Crisis models?

Send us a text Discover the resilience that lies within you as we dissect the journey through life's most challenging moments. Crisis is a multifaceted beast, but in our latest episode, we guide you through its complexities, unveiling the stages from the initial calm to the inevitable aftermath. We bring to light the ABCX model, a framework that helps us understand how families weather the storms of stress and crisis. With the story of John and Mary as our backdrop, we explore how their unique p...

May 14, 202413 min

Supervision vs Consultation

Send us a text Have you ever wondered about the invisible threads that guide a therapist's journey to mastery? We're peeling back the curtain to reveal the critical roles of consultation and supervision in shaping mental health professionals. Our latest episode delves into the intriguing dynamics of these two realms, contrasting the responsibilities and impacts they have on counseling practices. Supervisors serve as the profession's gatekeepers, wielding legal responsibility and guiding the eval...

May 10, 202410 min

MSE: Appearance and Behavior

Send us a text Unlock the secrets within every glance, gesture, and attire choice as we explore the intricate details of the mental status examination. Through the guidance of Dr. Linton Hutchinson and Stacy Frost, you'll learn to discern the subtle but powerful messages that a client's appearance and behavior communicate about their mental state. From the implications of meticulous grooming to the potential anxieties betrayed by averted eye contact, our discussion will equip you with the skills...

May 07, 202415 min

Group Therapy: Mastering Techniques for Focused and Connected Sessions

Send us a text Discover the secrets to successful group therapy in our latest podcast episode, where Stacy Frost and Dr. Linton Hutchinson reveal the critical techniques that can make or break your group sessions. We get down to the nitty-gritty of therapeutic strategies like 'blocking' and 'linking,' ensuring that you leave with actionable skills to keep discussions focused and draw meaningful connections between participants' experiences. Journey with us through the world of group dynamics, wh...

May 03, 202410 min

Navigating Conflict: Therapeutic Perspectives on Resolution and Neutrality

Send us a text Embark on a journey of self-discovery and resolution as we, Stacy Frost and Dr. Linton Hutchinson, guide you through the layered world of conflict that touches every aspect of our lives. Whether you're wrestling with personal inner turmoil or you're caught in the throes of a disagreement with others, we've got you covered. Our conversation dives into the heart of conflict, examining the role therapists play in guiding clients through these challenging waters. We tackle it all: int...

Apr 02, 202419 min

Group Therapy: Charting Yalom's Therapeutic Factors

Send us a text Embark on a transformative journey through the landscape of group therapy with us, your seasoned navigators, Dr. Linton Hutchinson and Stacy Frost. With a nod to the pioneering work of Dr. Irvin Yalom, we're tearing down the walls of traditional mental health discussions, bringing to light the essential concepts for your Licensure Exams. Prepare to break the ice on therapy modalities, from individual sessions to the communal embrace of group, couples, and family therapy. This epis...

Mar 29, 202412 min

Career: Navigating the Anticipation and Implementation Model

Send us a text Ever wondered how the psychological stages of development influence your career choices? Join Stacy and Linton as they navigate David Tiedeman and Robert O'Hare's anticipation implementation model, revealing the emotional and cognitive steps behind career decision-making. This episode isn't just theory; it's peppered with relatable examples from astronauts to therapists that illuminate the common dilemmas faced when making critical career decisions. We're taking counseling interns...

Mar 26, 202412 min

Theory to Therapy: Working with Adolescent Clients

Send us a text Unlock the complex ethical considerations of counseling minors with the guidance of a special guest: Hannah Salazar, a seasoned therapist and professional school counselor who joins us to share her rich experience. Navigating the sensitive issues of consent, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting, Hannah illuminates the intricacies of these topics through the lens of a therapist working with young clients. Her wisdom provides listeners with strategies for clear and age-appropria...

Mar 15, 202416 min

Demystifying Disorders: Diagnosing Substance Use Disorders

Send us a text Embark on an enlightening journey with us, Dr. Linton Hutchinson and Stacy Frost, as we cast a spotlight on the perplexing realm of addictive disorders. With our combined expertise, we dissect the layers of dependency, from the initial lure to the grip of withdrawal. Our latest episode is a treasure trove of insights for therapists and curious minds alike, delving into the DSM-5TR's ten classes of potentially addictive substances and behaviors—each with its unique seduction and ch...

Mar 05, 202423 min

Demystifying Disorders: SAD, GAD, ASD, Oh My!

Send us a text Struggle with the spotlight or just shy? We'll help you unpack that knotty question and more, offering a roadmap to understanding the twists and turns of social anxiety disorder. With a dash of humor to lighten the load, we share candid tales from our own lives, revealing how these personal vignettes illuminate the broader psychological concepts. We also delve into how societal norms can exacerbate or mask symptoms, and we dissect the critical six-month marker that separates fleet...

Feb 23, 202417 min

Demystifying Disorders: Co-Occurring Disorders

Send us a text Embark on a profound journey with us as we unravel the complexities of co-occurring disorders alongside our insightful co-host, Stacy Frost. Together, we illuminate the often-misunderstood intersection where mental health meets substance use, unpacking the critical signs and tailoring treatment to individual needs. Discover how bipolar disorder intertwines with alcohol, how PTSD merges with a bottle, and the shadowy dance between depression and opioids. Through our conversation, w...

Feb 02, 202412 min

Demystifying Disorders: Antisocial Personality Disorder

Send us a text Ever wondered what goes on in the mind of someone with antisocial personality disorder Join us, Linton and Stacy, as we untangle the web of behaviors and traits that mark this complex condition. In our latest installment of the demystifying disorder series, we lay bare the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for APD, highlighting the fine line between it and other personality disorders like narcissism and borderline personality disorder. We're not just talking theory; our conversation br...

Jan 26, 202420 min

Group Therapy: Tuckman's Stages

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of group dynamics that have stood the test of time with Tuckman's group development theory, a cornerstone of understanding how teams evolve and succeed. This episode, guided by the expertise of Dr. Linton Hutchinson and Stacy Frost, is your ticket to mastering the nuances of the forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning stages—essential knowledge for therapy professionals and anyone leading a team. We'll dissect the mnemonic "Fearful students never ...

Jan 05, 202420 min
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