NCMHCE Exam Review Podcast

Introduction

• Host: Dr. Dawn Elise Snipes
• Brought by Counselor Toolbox Podcast and allceus.com
  • Unlimited on-demand CEUs for $59
  • Unlimited live webinars for $40

Group and Career Counseling Overview

• Focus on group and career counseling for the NCMHCE exam
• Review indications and contraindications for group therapy
• Discuss types of groups and stages of group formation
• Identify group curative factors
• Review the therapist's role in a group
• Brief overview of models and assessment instruments in career counseling

Group Counseling

Indications for Group Therapy

• Conflicts: Communication, argumentativeness, self-esteem
• Effective for depression, anxiety, addiction relapse prevention, coping skills
• Cognitive issues: CBT, REBT, cognitive distortions
• Interpersonal and social issues
• Client requirements: Verbally, cognitively, and physically able; motivated to change

Contraindications for Group Therapy

• Refusal to participate, behavioral issues (mania, schizophrenia, ADHD)
• Crisis states, low distress tolerance, marked depression, or suicidal tendencies
• Severe discomfort with groups, cultural reservations

Types of Groups

• Gender-Based: Women's, men's groups
• Topic-Based: Depression, PTSD, addiction, postpartum depression
• Skills-Based: Coping skills, distress tolerance
• Method-Based: Support, psycho-educational, therapy groups
• Open vs. Closed: Open allows new entries; closed is short-term and task-oriented

Stages of Group Formation

1. Forming: Getting to know each other
2. Storming: Power dynamics and conflicts
3. Norming: Establishing group norms
4. Performing: Effective group function
5. Adjourning: Wrapping up and concluding group

Group Curative Factors

• Social microcosm, hope, universality, altruism
• Self-understanding and insight

Therapist's Role in Group

• Explain group phases and process
• Create cohesion and maintain participation
• Culture building and focus on the here and now
• Use self-disclosure appropriately
• Facilitate conflict resolution and use linking/blocking
• Model feedback and use structured activities

Career Counseling Overview

Career Counseling Models

• Trait and Factor: Abilities, interests, personalities, work adjustment
• Client-Centered: Self-concept and choices
• Psychodynamic: Internal motivations and beliefs
• Developmental: Career maturity as a process
• Behavioral: Realistic career choices, reducing anxiety
• Values Model: Aligning careers with values

Career Assessment Instruments

• Holland's Model: RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional)
• Assessments:
  • Vocational Preference Inventory
  • Self-Directed Search
  • My Vocational Situation
  • Ashland Interest Assessment (disabilities)
  • Career Assessment Inventory (0-2 years post-secondary)
  • Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory
  • Career Beliefs Inventory
  • Career Interest Inventory
  • Differential Aptitude Test
  • Discover Career Planning Program
  • System of Interactive Guidance Information (SIGI)

Important Considerations

• Selection criteria for group counseling
• Review career counseling theories and assessments
• Be aware of tests' focus: values, aptitudes, interests
• Understand client appropriateness for specific tests

Scenarios

• Tom: 34-year-old with anger issues and financial anxiety
  • Group therapy not recommended; consider financial and career counseling
• Julie: 20-year-old liberal arts student uncertain of career path
  • Appropriate assessments: Career Interest Inventory, Vocational Interest Inventory

Final Tips

• Flashcards for memorizing tests and appropriateness
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