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In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, host Matt Lawson breaks down the three most frequently tested neurodevelopmental disorders on the NCE, NCMHCE, and LCSW exams: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Intellectual Disability. You’ll get clear explanations of each diagnosis, including DSM-5 criteria, how they show up in exam vignettes, and what clinicians need to know about treatment approaches.

This episode features a real-world vignette walkthrough, 5 exam-style questions with rationales, and a new Study Stack Tip that introduces the powerful active recall technique known as “blurting.”

Whether you’re deep into studying or just starting your licensure journey, this episode will help you connect the dots between diagnosis, theory, and clinical decision-making.

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In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, host Matt Lawson takes you on a deep dive into Personality Disorders—one of the most critical areas to master for the Licensure exams. Learn how to differentiate between Cluster A (Odd, Eccentric), Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional), and Cluster C (Anxious, Fearful) personality disorders, including the hallmark traits of Paranoid, Borderline, Narcissistic, and Avoidant Personality Disorders. This breakdown simplifies the diagnostic process, making it easier to recognize the subtle differences that can trip you up during exam vignettes.Sound Bites

In The News: This week, we explore the rise of Digital Therapeutics and AI in Mental Health Care. Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping treatment protocols, enhancing patient engagement, and providing real-time data analysis to improve mental health outcomes.

👉 Read the full article here: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Treatment - ScienceDirect

Study Stack Tip: This week’s Study Stack Tip is all about Chunking for Better Recall. Instead of memorizing isolated facts, group related concepts together for easier recall. For Personality Disorders, think of them in clusters:

• Cluster A (Odd, Eccentric): Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
• Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional): Borderline, Narcissistic, Antisocial, Histrionic
• Cluster C (Anxious, Fearful): Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive

By mentally “chunking” these groups, you reduce cognitive overload and make it easier to recall the right diagnosis under exam pressure.

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In this episode of Licensure Lifeline, host Matt Lawson breaks down the Top 5 counseling theorists every future therapist needs to know for the NCE, NCMHCE, and LCSW exam. Learn how key figures like Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, B.F. Skinner, and Albert Ellis shaped the foundation of modern psychotherapy—and how their work still shows up on today’s licensure exams.

Matt explains the core concepts behind each theory, shares easy-to-remember study tips, and walks through real-world examples to help you apply theory to practice. Plus, play along with a “Who Said It?” quote quiz to test your retention.

Whether you’re preparing for your counseling licensure exam or refreshing your foundational knowledge as a clinician, this episode will help you study smarter, not harder.

🔗 Courier Mail (original story): In The News

Queensland researchers in new depression battle

Study Stack – Teach It to Learn It

Segment Name: Study Stack

Focus: Retrieval practice through verbal explanation

Purpose: Teach listeners how to solidify their understanding of theories through active recall and spoken repetition

Key Talking Points:

• Passive review (just re-reading notes) feels productive—but it isn’t.
• Real retention happens when you force your brain to recall and reconstruct information.
• Strategy:
• After reviewing a theorist (e.g., Rogers), close your notes and say aloud:
• 
  
  • Who they were
  • What they believed
  • Where their ideas show up on the exam
• Bonus Tip: Record yourself explaining the theory, then play it back on a walk or during your commute.

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