
NCE Study Guide
Welcome to the NCE National Counselor Exam Study Guide, your go-to resource for preparing to ace the National Counselor Exam.
Glenn Ostlund
Show overview
NCE Study Guide has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 56 episodes. That works out to roughly 30 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 21 min and 41 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 months ago, with 4 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 32 episodes published. Published by Glenn Ostlund.
From the publisher
Welcome to the NCE National Counselor Exam Study Guide, your go-to resource for preparing to ace the National Counselor Exam. This podcast features a comprehensive collection of mock multiple-choice questions, delivered in a conversational, engaging format designed to reinforce your understanding of key counseling concepts. Whether you’re reviewing on the go or brushing up on specific topics, this study guide simplifies complex material into easy-to-digest episodes. Created in collaboration with cutting-edge AI tools, each episode is like a dynamic audio flashcard session—perfect for auditory learners. Join us as we explore essential theories, techniques, and ethical guidelines to help you succeed not only on the exam but also in your counseling career. Tune in, study smarter, and get one step closer to achieving your professional goals!
Latest Episodes
View all 56 episodesEp 71Boundaries Under Pressure: Dual Relationships, Crossings, and Violations on the NCE
This 28-day meditation series is now available on Patreon. It is designed to prepare you for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) in a way that is both effective and deeply calming. Each session blends counseling content review with gentle, imagery-based meditation, supported by theta-state audio techniques that promote memory retention, focus, and relaxation.Across the modules, you’ll journey through the full scope of NCE material: ethics, confidentiality, supervision, multicultural competence, and technology in counseling; intake, assessment, diagnosis, and clinical documentation; major mental health disorders, trauma, addiction, special populations, and systemic influences; treatment planning, theoretical models, cultural considerations, and collaboration; and the core of practice—counseling skills, microskills, the therapeutic process, and counselor self-development.Each meditation helps anchor knowledge while reducing anxiety, transforming study into a practice of presence and resilience. Here, learning is not rushed—it is integrated, with warmth, safety, and compassion guiding every step.Join the community → patreon.com/NCEStudyGuide🎧 Like what you hear?➡️ Give the show a 5-star rating—it really helps others find these resources. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 70Know Your Lane: Scope of Practice & Professional Identity on the NCE
This 28-day meditation series is now available on Patreon. It is designed to prepare you for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) in a way that is both effective and deeply calming. Each session blends counseling content review with gentle, imagery-based meditation, supported by theta-state audio techniques that promote memory retention, focus, and relaxation.Across the modules, you’ll journey through the full scope of NCE material: ethics, confidentiality, supervision, multicultural competence, and technology in counseling; intake, assessment, diagnosis, and clinical documentation; major mental health disorders, trauma, addiction, special populations, and systemic influences; treatment planning, theoretical models, cultural considerations, and collaboration; and the core of practice—counseling skills, microskills, the therapeutic process, and counselor self-development.Each meditation helps anchor knowledge while reducing anxiety, transforming study into a practice of presence and resilience. Here, learning is not rushed—it is integrated, with warmth, safety, and compassion guiding every step.Join the community → patreon.com/NCEStudyGuide🎧 Like what you hear?➡️ Give the show a 5-star rating—it really helps others find these resources. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 69Confidentiality Secrets: What the NCE REALLY Expects You to Know
This 28-day meditation series is now available on Patreon. It is designed to prepare you for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) in a way that is both effective and deeply calming. Each session blends counseling content review with gentle, imagery-based meditation, supported by theta-state audio techniques that promote memory retention, focus, and relaxation.Across the modules, you’ll journey through the full scope of NCE material: ethics, confidentiality, supervision, multicultural competence, and technology in counseling; intake, assessment, diagnosis, and clinical documentation; major mental health disorders, trauma, addiction, special populations, and systemic influences; treatment planning, theoretical models, cultural considerations, and collaboration; and the core of practice—counseling skills, microskills, the therapeutic process, and counselor self-development.Each meditation helps anchor knowledge while reducing anxiety, transforming study into a practice of presence and resilience. Here, learning is not rushed—it is integrated, with warmth, safety, and compassion guiding every step.Join the community → patreon.com/NCEStudyGuide🎧 Like what you hear?➡️ Give the show a 5-star rating—it really helps others find these resources. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 68The Ethics Blueprint: How the ACA Code Can Make or Break Your NCE Score
This 28-day meditation series is now available on Patreon. It is designed to prepare you for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) in a way that is both effective and deeply calming. Each session blends counseling content review with gentle, imagery-based meditation, supported by theta-state audio techniques that promote memory retention, focus, and relaxation.Across the modules, you’ll journey through the full scope of NCE material: ethics, confidentiality, supervision, multicultural competence, and technology in counseling; intake, assessment, diagnosis, and clinical documentation; major mental health disorders, trauma, addiction, special populations, and systemic influences; treatment planning, theoretical models, cultural considerations, and collaboration; and the core of practice—counseling skills, microskills, the therapeutic process, and counselor self-development.Each meditation helps anchor knowledge while reducing anxiety, transforming study into a practice of presence and resilience. Here, learning is not rushed—it is integrated, with warmth, safety, and compassion guiding every step.Join the community → patreon.com/NCEStudyGuide🎧 Like what you hear?➡️ Give the show a 5-star rating—it really helps others find these resources. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ep 67ChatGPT Atlas Launch and Mental Health
News-Inspired Case Studies is a new series from Glenn Ostlund and the NCE StudyGuide Podcast.Each episode begins with a current news story and unfolds like a counseling case study — exploring how real-world events ripple through the human nervous system, emotions, and behavior.Created for both NCE preparation and ongoing professional development, this series bridges counseling theory, neuroscience, and culture to show how the world outside our therapy rooms shapes what happens inside them.These episodes are also part of Glenn’s own continuing education — what he calls his AI puppet show — where tools like ChatGPT and Notebook LM help research, organize, and synthesize ideas into layered, soul-centered learning experiences.Whether you’re studying for the National Counselor Exam or seeking to deepen your clinical understanding, News-Inspired Case Study offers a timely, integrative, and thought-provoking way to stay grounded, informed, and inspired. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ep 66The Federal Government Shutdown and Mental Health
News-Inspired Case Studies is a new series from Glenn Ostlund and the NCE StudyGuide Podcast.Each episode begins with a current news story and unfolds like a counseling case study — exploring how real-world events ripple through the human nervous system, emotions, and behavior.Created for both NCE preparation and ongoing professional development, this series bridges counseling theory, neuroscience, and culture to show how the world outside our therapy rooms shapes what happens inside them.These episodes are also part of Glenn’s own continuing education — what he calls his AI puppet show — where tools like ChatGPT and Notebook LM help research, organize, and synthesize ideas into layered, soul-centered learning experiences.Whether you’re studying for the National Counselor Exam or seeking to deepen your clinical understanding, News-Inspired Case Study offers a timely, integrative, and thought-provoking way to stay grounded, informed, and inspired. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ep 653I/Atlas and Mental Health
News-Inspired Case Studies is a new series from Glenn Ostlund and the NCE StudyGuide Podcast.Each episode begins with a current news story and unfolds like a counseling case study — exploring how real-world events ripple through the human nervous system, emotions, and behavior.Created for both NCE preparation and ongoing professional development, this series bridges counseling theory, neuroscience, and culture to show how the world outside our therapy rooms shapes what happens inside them.These episodes are also part of Glenn’s own continuing education — what he calls his AI puppet show — where tools like ChatGPT and Notebook LM help research, organize, and synthesize ideas into layered, soul-centered learning experiences.Whether you’re studying for the National Counselor Exam or seeking to deepen your clinical understanding, News-Inspired Case Study offers a timely, integrative, and thought-provoking way to stay grounded, informed, and inspired. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 64Listener Essay Case Studies: The Old Ship Zion
Resurrected listener essays from the Infants on Thrones podcast being used as case studies for NCE prep. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 63Listener Essay Case Studies: The Problem of Good
Resurrected listener essays from the Infants on Thrones podcast being used as case studies for NCE prep. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 62Listener Essay Case Studies: The Atheist and the Humanist
Resurrected listener essays from the Infants on Thrones podcast being used as case studies for NCE prep. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 61Listener Essay Case Studies: The Log on the Fire
Resurrected listener essays from the Infants on Thrones podcast being used as case studies for NCE prep. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 60Patreon Deep Meditation Module 15 of 28: Clinical Documentation and Case Notes
This 28-day meditation series is now available on Patreon. It is designed to prepare you for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) in a way that is both effective and deeply calming. Each session blends counseling content review with gentle, imagery-based meditation, supported by theta-state audio techniques that promote memory retention, focus, and relaxation.Across the modules, you’ll journey through the full scope of NCE material: ethics, confidentiality, supervision, multicultural competence, and technology in counseling; intake, assessment, diagnosis, and clinical documentation; major mental health disorders, trauma, addiction, special populations, and systemic influences; treatment planning, theoretical models, cultural considerations, and collaboration; and the core of practice—counseling skills, microskills, the therapeutic process, and counselor self-development.Each meditation helps anchor knowledge while reducing anxiety, transforming study into a practice of presence and resilience. Here, learning is not rushed—it is integrated, with warmth, safety, and compassion guiding every step.Join the community → patreon.com/NCEStudyGuide🎧 Like what you hear?➡️ Give the show a 5-star rating—it really helps others find these resources. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ep 59Calm Confidence: A 28-Day Meditation Journey for NCE Mastery
This 28-day meditation series is now available on Patreon. It is designed to prepare you for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) in a way that is both effective and deeply calming. Each session blends counseling content review with gentle, imagery-based meditation, supported by theta-state audio techniques that promote memory retention, focus, and relaxation.Across the modules, you’ll journey through the full scope of NCE material: ethics, confidentiality, supervision, multicultural competence, and technology in counseling; intake, assessment, diagnosis, and clinical documentation; major mental health disorders, trauma, addiction, special populations, and systemic influences; treatment planning, theoretical models, cultural considerations, and collaboration; and the core of practice—counseling skills, microskills, the therapeutic process, and counselor self-development.Each meditation helps anchor knowledge while reducing anxiety, transforming study into a practice of presence and resilience. Here, learning is not rushed—it is integrated, with warmth, safety, and compassion guiding every step.Join the community → patreon.com/NCEStudyGuide🎧 Like what you hear?➡️ Give the show a 5-star rating—it really helps others find these resources. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 58Deep Meditation Module: Ethics
The Full Library Is Live + New Study Group Details!The NCE Study Guide Patreon Library—91 audio-based study modules now fully organized by CACREP content areas and exam domains.Study Group is held every Tuesday at 5 PM Pacific / 8 PM Eastern. If you're serious about passing the NCE and want community-based support, this is for you.Join the community → patreon.com/NCEStudyGuide🎧 Like what you hear?➡️ Give the show a 5-star rating—it really helps others find these resources. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ep 54Patreon Library is Complete! (plus Module 43 - History and Philosophy of the Counseling Profession)
The Full Library Is Live + New Study Group Details!In this episode, Glenn announces the long-awaited completion of the NCE Study Guide Patreon Library—91 audio-based study modules now fully organized by CACREP content areas and exam domains.You’ll learn:How the modules are structured into accessible collectionsWhat’s available for free on PatreonHow to join the full library ($5/month)🎧 Glenn also shares a full sample module from the library—Module 43: History and Philosophy of Counseling—so you can hear what to expect.Join the community → patreon.com/NCEStudyGuide🎧 Like what you hear?➡️ Give the show a 5-star rating—it really helps others find these resources. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 45Carl Jung – Archetypes, Shadow Work, and Counseling Applications
Carl Jung – Archetypes, Shadow Work, and Counseling ApplicationsEpisode Description:In this episode of the NCE Study Guide, we take a deep dive into the foundational ideas of Carl Jung—his theories, legacy, and practical relevance for the National Counselor Examination. This module was inspired by Lily, a forward-thinking member of our Saturday study group who requested a focused exploration of Jungian psychology.You’ll learn how concepts like the collective unconscious, archetypes, the Shadow, and individuation can show up on the NCE—not just in theory questions, but embedded in case vignettes that require symbolic, spiritual, or depth-oriented interpretation. We also explore Jung’s influence on transpersonal counseling, multicultural sensitivity, and personality assessments like the MBTI.This resource is part of a growing, collaborative study effort. If you’d like to join the weekly Zoom group (Saturdays at 11 a.m. PT), suggest a topic, or ask a question, send an email to [email protected]. And if you find this podcast helpful, please consider leaving a 5-star rating—it helps others find us!At the beginning of this episode, you’ll also hear the voice of Carl Jung himself with a quote that invites self-reflection and curiosity—a perfect mindset for both the exam and the counseling profession.Let’s get started. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 42Case Study 10 of 10: Maya, the Young Girl with Big Worries
Case Study Module 10: Maya, the Young Girl with Big WorriesThis case study module presents a fictional scenario designed to prepare you for the NCE by examining key clinical competencies: ethical considerations, appropriate diagnoses, applicable modalities and interventions, and core exam content areas. Each module ends with an NCE-style quiz to reinforce your understanding and retention.Case Overview:Maya, an 8-year-old girl, presents with separation anxiety and school refusal following a recent move. This case includes child-specific assessment tools, play therapy, and CBT for kids, along with a family systems approach to support consistent parenting strategies and emotional safety in treatment planning. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 41Case Study 9 of 10: Carlos, the Man with Many Masks
Case Study Module 9: Carlos, the Man with Many MasksThis case study module presents a fictional scenario designed to prepare you for the NCE by examining key clinical competencies: ethical considerations, appropriate diagnoses, applicable modalities and interventions, and core exam content areas. Each module ends with an NCE-style quiz to reinforce your understanding and retention.Case Overview:Carlos, a 38-year-old Latino male, is court-mandated to attend a domestic violence offender group. This case explores legal-ethical practice, group norms, and behavior change through the Duluth Model, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing. You'll examine how to support accountability in mandated clients while practicing cultural humility. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 40Case Study 8 of 10: Linda, the Grieving Widow
Case Study Module 8: Linda, the Grieving WidowThis case study module presents a fictional scenario designed to prepare you for the NCE by examining key clinical competencies: ethical considerations, appropriate diagnoses, applicable modalities and interventions, and core exam content areas. Each module ends with an NCE-style quiz to reinforce your understanding and retention.Case Overview:Linda, a 68-year-old woman, struggles with prolonged grief after losing her husband. This case highlights Worden’s Tasks of Mourning, Gestalt Therapy, and Narrative work in supporting older adults. You'll also explore assessment of complicated grief, somatic expression, and ethical care with aging clients. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ep 39Case Study 7 of 10: Devon, the College Student in Crisis
Case Study Module 007: Devon, the College Student in CrisisThis case study module presents a fictional scenario designed to prepare you for the NCE by examining key clinical competencies: ethical considerations, appropriate diagnoses, applicable modalities and interventions, and core exam content areas. Each module ends with an NCE-style quiz to reinforce your understanding and retention.Case Overview:Devon, a 19-year-old non-binary student, presents with depression, academic stress, and identity confusion. This case explores Affirmative Therapy, Person-Centered, and Narrative approaches while integrating suicide risk assessment, multicultural ethics, and LGBTQIA+ inclusive practice in a college setting. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★