LinkedIn Update

Greetings!

After a few technical hiccups, I posted my first LinkedIn article!

I'm also working on the online counseling...

Little by little I'm getting there...

Take Care,
Kimmy

Surviving the NCMHCE Exam

A wise woman told me (repeatedly) "It's not how much you know it's knowing the test".

As you may or may not have heard, I passed the NCMHCE exam a few weeks ago.  I just wanted to share how I prepared and my experience with taking the exam.

• I used www.counselingexam.com to prepare for the test.  A few of us interns chipped in and shared a login information for about 6 months.  The practice scenarios were helpful although they may want to change the wording of the questions (the actual exam doesn't give as much background info, you find out more information about the client as you answer the questions).  
• I completed a practice scenario about every couple of days then every other day up to my test date.  I did not take a practice test the night before.  I made notes of what I missed and discussed with my clinical supervisor answers I did not agree with (there will be answers you will not agree with...SUCK IT UP if you want to pass!).
• I also went over DSM-5 changes, decision making, and read all the tips counselingexam.com provided.
• I went to a DSM-5 training that my agency provided.  I found that to be most helpful oddly enough.  I strongly encourage you to take a DSM-5 training, course, webinar, whatever you can get to.
• My jobs require me to do A LOT of assessments, which was a useful thing for me on the information gathering part of the exam.  If you can, do as many assessments as you can and pay attention to the questions you're asking clients in order to make your diagnosis.  
• I took my test day off as soon as I scheduled it.  You will not want to be anywhere near work pass or fail.
• Simulation History was the most useful tool I used during the exam.  It doesn't work on the counselingexam.com scenarios but being able to look at all my answers, right or wrong, helped me in my approach to answering the questions.
• Know your diagnoses and how they're similar and different.  V-codes and all.
• Know your treatment interventions but pay attention to what is correct and incorrect on the practice scenarios...even if you do not agree with the answer!
• Know your ethics and cultural competency.
• Have lots of support and solicit prayers (good vibes, thoughts, well wishes, etc.) :)!

That's all I can think of for now.  I'm so glad I don't have to take that sucker again!! It was more difficult than the Series 7!

Well I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Take Care and Stay Cool!

-Kimmy

LinkedIn

I've been invited by LinkedIn to write articles about mental health issues! I'm excited about the opportunity!

Now that my nerves are calm, I'm working on my board exam post. I'll share what I did to prepare and my overall testing experience.

That's all for now...I'm off to work!

Take care,
Kimmy

I survived the NBCC exam!

Greetings!

After many months of studying, I passed the NBCC exam today!  It was more difficult than I anticipated.  I studied using counselingexam.com and although it helped me get used to the exam, they need an overhaul in content.  Hopefully they get on that soon because they are NOT cheap!

Now it's just a matter of my getting my hours...last I checked (about a month ago), I was halfway there.  Then your neighborhood counselor will be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and I won't have to work so hard and get back to my blogging and writing.  I'm looking forward to it because I'm tired!

I'm going to work on a post on NBCC exam tips...now that I'll have more free time, I'll be posting a little bit more.  Time to get back to this blogging thing (and more Netflix marathons!)!

Until next time folks!

Take care,
Kimmy

Changes. ..

Well it's been a while since my last post and a lot has gone down. I'm now a therapist for my employer's Ryan White clients and I'm an admissions consultant for a psychiatric hospital in town. I had to take a semester off to get a handle on my finances but I returned a few weeks ago (yay!) and that's been coming along. I've been super busy... and learning along the way. I counted my LMHC hours and I still have a ways to go. That's all I got on this end...I hope to post again soon!

Take care,
Kimmy

Progress and Lessons

Hi all,

This going to be another quick post.  I'm going through a lot of changes at the job and as usual school is kicking my butt. I'm installing Blogger right now so I can post on the go (side note:  the Galaxy S4 is pretty awesome!).

My new supervisor is amazing!  The LMHC internship at work keeps me busy.  I started studying for the NBCC exam (as in, worked on practice modules) this past week.  I plan on taking the exam when I'm on break from school in late September, ready or not.

I recently learned at work that you have to be careful of who you give the benefit of a doubt to at work, depending on the nature of your job.  There are people who are miserable or stuck in their life and instead of working on themselves, they choose to be jealous of or attempt to sabotage those who are trying to grow.  There are also people who think work is social hour focusing more on making friends than their job duties.  Both types of people make work miserable; having both types of people in the same work environment is complete and utter chaos.  If something is not right with your coworkers, say something to management and go up the chain until something is done.  Also, always do what is best for you and your career.  ALWAYS.  Protect your license at all costs and document everything.

I'll have another update for you when some things are finalized.

Take care,
Kimmy

Back Again...

Greetings All,

I did not realize I hadn't posted anything in over 2 months until last week.  It's been crazy in my neck of the woods.  I'm in the process of changing LMHC supervisors; I start clocking hours next week.  I also finished a semester of school last week in addition to working my part-time seasonal job.  I'm going to reinstall the Blogger app on my phone so I can post on the go.  I have more to say but that will be for another time.  Hope everyone's 2013 is going well.

Take care,
Kimberly