What can I say but to say hello to our brilliant therapist out there and welcome to license your examscom . I'm Linton and this is my wonderful co-host Stacy . How's life in Michigan ?
Oh , michigan . What can I say ? What can I say ? It's good . I'm missing those , uh , the sunny rays . Down in Florida , though , where it's perpetually warm , even in January .
Yeah .
Mm , hmm , I might be coming down snowboarding . You know , that's what everyone here does anyway .
Why not ?
See ya Fly in South or they go to Arizona , which is kind of weird , but okay .
You might as well come to Florida , where it's you guessed it really hot and sweaty . So what's on the docket for today ? Cloudy , with a chance of meatballs .
Yes , that sounds good . I remember that book when I was a kid . Yes , more like rainy with a chance of frost , Linton . Well , I thought we'd go into more detail about a study tool that we briefly talked about in our active studying episode . It's a tool called mind mapping , which can be really beneficial for therapists who are studying for their licensure exam .
Linton , can you tell us what mind mapping is ?
Sure Mind mappings a way of using a visual method for structuring the information for the exam . Because the exam covers a huge range of topics , the mind map helps to connect the very concepts , making it easier for you to remember them .
When you do go ahead and create a mind map , Stacey , you're taking the time to actively process the information , categorizing it , relating it to other information , While adding your own thoughts and insights about the material that will help you remember it .
Okay got it . Well , I'm a visual learner , so I see what you're saying there , linton . So what does a mind map look like ?
exactly , Visualize , since you're a visual learner , that a mind map is like a tree . A tree has lots and lots of branches . The central node , or the tree trunk , is the main concept or topic , and each branch that shoots off from them represents subtopics of those related areas .
Oh , this is very cool . Okay , I can see it . This is going to give me a good excuse to break out my colored pencil collection , which we just unpacked this past weekend , so I'm excited . Can you show me the steps to create a mind map ? Sure , okay , though .
Let's say that you're using the concept of micro skills . So you start by with your paper writing down micro skills in the center of the blank piece of paper . Yes , I'm talking up to you right now . Go grab a pen and piece of paper .
What if I'm driving ? I'll wait .
You can pull over to the side of the road . I really prefer to use index Cards because they're easier to lug around and they can fit in your pocket , easy to review when you're waiting for your next client or when you're taking the subway .
Okay , wait a minute . Linton , when were you ever in a subway in Florida ? They don't have them in Florida , but I know about .
What do you mean ? Of course they do . I had lunch at subway just the other day .
Ha ha , very funny .
Very funny . No , no , not really . Didn't I ever tell you that I used to live in Boston around Harvard Square back in the 60s ? Remember that ?
Okay , I do remember your Boston forays .
Yeah , really talk about mind maps , those for days .
Ha , ha , ha , ha ha . Yes , the 60s I gotcha .
Well , anyway , everyone should have had enough time to grab a piece of paper and pen by now . Okay , from the center word micro skills , draw lines branching off from the main trump and label each branch with a micro skill . Can you think of one Stacey ?
I think yeah , I can think of a couple . So you mean like reflection of feeling , reflection of meaning , empathic , responding , that type of stuff .
Right , right . So on each branch , add a brief note about the micro skill , for example , for reflection of feeling . You might make a note that says it identifies the emotion and repeats it back , or use an established rapport and it's important for promoting the individual's self-awareness .
Okay , that makes sense . Well , what about skills that share similarities ? So could I use mind mapping to illustrate connections between topics ? I think I heard you say something about that earlier .
Yeah , absolutely . For example , you could add symbols to your tree to indicate which branches are similar , like a star for the skills that you might use early on in therapy . Or you could color code it relating to concepts like active listening and empathetic responding , for easy visual reference .
Okay , or I have a genius idea . I could add some , like little dots , of gold glitter for the ones that help establish rapport right , there you go with that glitter again . Well , you know me , I am always looking for opportunities to put my excess glitter supply to good use and get rid of the pink glitter .
So I'm guessing this is something that I should be doing with a paper and pencil , like you're talking about , instead of typing it up . I mean , I'm always at a computer , yeah , but you don't want to do that .
You actually want to put pen to paper because it's important , because you're actively engaging your brain as you write down each part of the map . So the act of physically writing down the information really helps .
Okay , so it's not just the , it's not just the final mind map that aids with your learning process , but it's the entire process of actually creating it . Okay , I got it . Well , what about the more complicated topics ? How would mind mapping handle the intricacies of something like dialectical behavior therapy ?
Yeah , that's a good one , Stacey , for complex topics . Mind maps can further be broken down into smaller , manageable sections . For example , with dbt , the central node would be the therapy itself . So you write down dbt . From there you would might have the branches . That would include something like principles , techniques , uses , case studies met weight .
The complexity is deconstructed even more .
Okay , gotcha , and maybe your branches could have like little branches coming off of them . You know to kind of do even more subtopics .
Okay , I could see how that could be really helpful .
So could you sum all of this up for us about mind mapping ? Okay ?
definitely Okay . Creating a mind map starts with a central concept , then branches for related topics and finally filling each branch with related notes . You can also add symbols or color code your mind map to make it easier to understand . Remember to keep the branches labeled with the single word to maintain clarity .
Ah , yes , that's going to be a little bit of a challenge sometimes for me because I like detail , so condensing it into , you know , one , one or two words is is , um , that's a good tip . Also , there's no wrong way to make a mind map . It should be personal and intuitive to you . It's your study tool , so what works for you is right .
Right , exactly . Well , I think that's a good place to stop for today . Stacy , what do you think ? Got those colored pencils out ?
Yeah , you're right , they're not going to draw themselves . Well , until next time , everyone remember it's in there .