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NCE Study Guide

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1.1 – Professional Practice and Ethics (8 modules) are now LIVE!

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Part 1: Counselor Work Behavior Area

1.1 – Professional Practice and Ethics (8 modules)

(Core Area: Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice)

Module 1 – Ethical Foundations & Principles
1.1.1 ACA Code of Ethics
1.1.2 Ethical Principles (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, fidelity, veracity)
1.1.3 Ethical Decision-Making Models (e.g., Forester-Miller & Davis, Corey et al.)
1.1.4 Morality vs. Ethics
1.1.5 Personal Values vs. Professional Ethics

Module 2 – Confidentiality and Client Rights
1.1.6 Informed Consent
1.1.7 Confidentiality
1.1.8 Privileged Communication
1.1.9 Duty to Warn / Duty to Protect
1.1.10 Mandated Reporting (abuse, neglect, threats)

Module 3 – Professional Identity and Scope
1.1.11 Professional Counseling Identity
1.1.12 Scope of Practice
1.1.13 Scope of Competence
1.1.14 Licensure vs. Certification vs. Accreditation
1.1.15 Professional Organizations (e.g., ACA, AMHCA, NBCC)
1.1.16 Advocacy for the Profession
1.1.17 Gatekeeping in Counseling

Module 4 – Client-Counselor Relationship & Boundaries
1.1.18 Dual Relationships
1.1.19 Boundary Crossings vs. Boundary Violations
1.1.20 Sexual Misconduct and Nonsexual Touch
1.1.21 Termination and Referral Ethics
1.1.22 Bartering and Gifts
1.1.23 Counselor Self-Disclosure

Module 5 – Supervision and Professional Development
1.1.24 Clinical Supervision (roles, types)
1.1.25 Supervisor vs. Consultant
1.1.26 Documentation in Supervision
1.1.27 Counselor Impairment and Burnout
1.1.28 Continuing Education Requirements
1.1.29 Professional Development Plans

Module 6 – Cultural and Social Justice Ethics
1.1.30 Multicultural Competence
1.1.31 Cultural Humility
1.1.32 Addressing Implicit Bias and Microaggressions
1.1.33 Social Justice and Advocacy Ethics
1.1.34 Intersectionality and Client Identity

Module 7 – Technology, Records, and Legal Overlaps
1.1.35 Ethics in Telehealth
1.1.36 Social Media Use by Counselors
1.1.37 HIPAA and Electronic Records
1.1.38 Recordkeeping Best Practices
1.1.39 Client Access to Records
1.1.40 Legal vs. Ethical Obligations

Module 8 – Test and Assessment Ethics
1.1.41 Informed Consent in Testing
1.1.42 Test Appropriateness and Fairness
1.1.43 Competence in Test Administration
1.1.44 Misuse of Test Data
1.1.45 Confidentiality of Test Results

1.2 – Intake, Assessment and Diagnosis (8 modules)

(Core Areas: Assessment and Testing | Human Growth and Development)

Module 9 – Intake Process and Initial Contact
1.2.1 Intake Interview
1.2.2 Mental Status Exam (MSE)
1.2.3 Presenting Problem vs. Chief Complaint
1.2.4 Case Conceptualization
1.2.5 Rapport Building During Assessment
1.2.6 Structured vs. Unstructured Interviews
1.2.7 Behavioral Observations

Module 10 – Assessment Fundamentals
1.2.8 Assessment vs. Testing vs. Evaluation
1.2.9 Standardized vs. Non-Standardized Assessments
1.2.10 Norm-Referenced vs. Criterion-Referenced Tests
1.2.11 Formative vs. Summative Assessment
1.2.12 Screening Tools (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7)
1.2.13 Triangulation of Data Sources (e.g., self-report, observation, records)

Module 11 – Psychometric Properties
1.2.14 Reliability (test-retest, interrater, internal consistency)
1.2.15 Validity (construct, content, criterion, face)
1.2.16 Standard Error of Measurement (SEM)
1.2.17 Confidence Intervals in Test Scores
1.2.18 Norms and Standardization Samples

Module 12 – Ethical and Multicultural Considerations
1.2.19 Informed Consent in Assessment
1.2.20 Test Bias and Cultural Fairness
1.2.21 Language Barriers and Interpreter Use
1.2.22 Accommodations for Disabilities
1.2.23 Testing Special Populations (e.g., minors, elders, bilingual clients)
1.2.24 Counselor Competence in Assessment

Module 13 – Diagnosis and Clinical Classification
1.2.25 DSM-5-TR Structure and Use
1.2.26 Differential Diagnosis
1.2.27 Comorbidity
1.2.28 Rule-Out Diagnoses
1.2.29 Subtypes, Specifiers, and Severity Ratings
1.2.30 Provisional vs. Confirmed Diagnoses
1.2.31 Z-Codes and V-Codes (conditions that may require clinical attention)

Module 14 – Specialized and Commonly Used Assessments
1.2.32 Personality Assessments (MMPI-2, MCMI, 16PF)
1.2.33 Projective Techniques (Rorschach, TAT)
1.2.34 Intelligence Tests (WAIS, WISC)
1.2.35 Aptitude vs. Achievement Tests
1.2.36 Interest Inventories (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory)
1.2.37 Risk Assessments (e.g., suicide, homicide, self-harm)
1.2.38 Substance Use Screening Tools (e.g., CAGE, AUDIT, DAST)

Module 15 – Report Writing and Clinical Documentation
1.2.39 Assessment Reports (format, clarity, audience)
1.2.40 Diagnostic Justification
1.2.41 Case Notes (DAP, SOAP, BIRP formats)
1.2.42 Referral Reports and Collaboration Notes
1.2.43 Documenting Risk and Protective Factors

Module 16 – Legal and Professional Considerations
1.2.44 Confidentiality of Test Data
1.2.45 Test Security and Storage
1.2.46 Record Retention Guidelines
1.2.47 Informed Interpretation of Results
1.2.48 Avoiding Misdiagnosis and Overpathologizing

1.3 – Areas of Clinical Focus (7 modules)

(Core Areas: Human Growth and Development | Social and Cultural Diversity | Counseling & Helping Relationships)

Module 17 – Major Mental Health Diagnoses
1.3.1 Mood Disorders (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I & II)
1.3.2 Anxiety Disorders (e.g., GAD, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety)
1.3.3 Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
1.3.4 Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders (e.g., PTSD, Acute Stress)
1.3.5 Dissociative Disorders
1.3.6 Psychotic Disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia Spectrum)
1.3.7 Personality Disorders (Clusters A, B, C)
1.3.8 Substance Use Disorders
1.3.9 Eating Disorders
1.3.10 Neurodevelopmental Disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum, ADHD)

Module 18 – Developmental and Life Span Focus
1.3.11 Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
1.3.12 Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
1.3.13 Attachment Theory (Bowlby, Ainsworth)
1.3.14 Life Transitions and Adjustment Issues
1.3.15 Grief and Loss Models (e.g., Kübler-Ross, Worden)
1.3.16 Aging and Geriatric Counseling Concerns
1.3.17 Parenting and Family Dynamics Across the Life Span

Module 19 – Multicultural and Identity-Based Focus
1.3.18 Racial and Ethnic Identity Development Models
1.3.19 Acculturation and Assimilation
1.3.20 LGBTQIA+ Counseling Considerations
1.3.21 Gender Identity and Expression
1.3.22 Socioeconomic and Class Issues in Counseling
1.3.23 Intersectionality
1.3.24 Religion and Spirituality in Counseling...