Passing your National Licensing Exam
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!
Passing your National Licensing Exam
The SMART Framework for Therapy Goals
Struggling with setting effective therapy goals? Look no further than the SMART framework, a powerful approach that transforms vague client aspirations into concrete, achievable outcomes. Drawing a clever parallel between the 1960s TV show "Get Smart" and today's clinical practice, this episode unpacks everything therapists need to know about creating goals that actually work.
The SMART method—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—provides the perfect structure for therapeutic progress. We explore how specificity eliminates confusion by answering the five W questions and breaking complex problems into manageable components. Rather than settling for "feel better," you'll learn to craft precise goals like "reduce panic attacks from daily to weekly" or "have one 30-minute conversation with my teenage daughter each week without raising my voice."
Measurement proves crucial for tracking progress, whether through frequency counts, duration tracking, intensity ratings, standardized assessments, or behavioral observations. We discuss how achievable goals must challenge clients while remaining realistic given their current circumstances and resources. The relevance component ensures goals align with clients' values and address what brought them to therapy initially. Finally, time boundaries create urgency and natural evaluation points, from short-term goals that build momentum to long-term objectives representing major life changes.
Whether you're a seasoned therapist or just starting your clinical journey, mastering the SMART framework will revolutionize how you approach goal-setting with clients. And if you're preparing for licensing exams and need tutoring referrals, reach out to info@thegoodneuron.com for trusted recommendations. Remember, effective therapy isn't about vague improvements—it's about SMART goals that create meaningful, measurable change.
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.
