Encyclopedia of Counseling: Master Review and Tutorial for the National Counselor Examination and State Counseling Exams

by Howard Rosenthal

In the third edition of Howard Rosenthal’s best-selling test preparation guide for the National Counselor Examination (NCE), students get more help than ever with an expanded section on marriage and family counseling, new material on web counseling, and updated material throughout. This resource now includes over 1,050 tutorial questions/answers and a new "Final Review and Last Minute Super Review Boot Camp" section. This guide is an ideal review tool for state licensing, the NCC credential, and preparation for written and oral boards. And because the new Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), draws from the same subject areas, the Encyclopedia is a perfect study guide for the CPCE as well. Written in a unique question/answer format, with a quick reference index, this is also an essential student reference volume for use in any counseling, social work, or human services course.

Genres: Counselling, Psychology, Nonfiction, Grad School, School, Textbooks, Mental Health

616 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1993

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book to study for the National Counselor Examination in the Summer of 2009. I figured that books like this are hard to evaluate, since they're not really meant to be read. Since I passed using this book, it gets more stars than not.

If you're studying for this exam, there are lots of practice questions and multiple questions on the same topic, to facilitate learning that material. There's also explanations of why each answer is wrong or right. The only section of the NCE that I hadn't had a class on in graduate school was on career counseling. Even with this book, that was my worst section. I think that I would have done better if either (a) I had such a class, (b) I read an actual book on career counseling, or (c) Rosenthal presented an overview of career counseling and major theories of it rather than simply asking questions -- I tried to make overviews in my head of the theories by piecing them together from the questions, but that apparently didn't work so well. This is the only text I used to study, I studied very casually for about two month, with a maximum of about two hours in a week up until the last week and an average much closer to one in a week. During the last week, I studied an hour a day up to the last day, and then studies six hours the night before.

To brag, self chastize, and rant just a little, I was just about three standard deviations above the mean on the statistics and research methods part of the exam. Then again, I do teach those for a living. I'm disappointed in myself for missing a question in that section. Too bad they didn't tell me which one it was -- then I'd either experience the Zeigarnik effect, and never forget it, or I'd write an angry letter to the testing company about how either (a) they're wrong, or, more likely, (b) they're choices are confusing and ambiguous, thereby making the question problematic. Oh well.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

PASSED MY NCE SO 5 STARS, THANK YOU HOWARD 🤩

[Melissa Lee-Tammeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I have to say I have never been happier to finish a book before. Closing the last page, I nearly cried. I have been carrying this book around with me for weeks, reading it in my car, at the doctor's office, waiting to pick up my kid at school. It has Starbuck's stains on it, food stains, and blood, sweat, and tears. With over 800 multiple choice questions designed to teach you not only about the right answers but the wrong answers, with explanations sometimes a page and a half in length for EACH question, along with a synopsis of everything in a hard core chapter at the end, this book gives you an extensive birds eye view of everything from ethics to statistics to theory to assessments. My brain is full up, but I feel confident in my knowledge base now. I only wish I had had the book chapter on statistics when I was going through Quantitative Measures grad class - the way Rosenthal explains it makes much more sense than any other book I have read.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm studying for my comprehensive exams, you see. And this book was recommended to me. I think the author tries a little too hard to be "folksy" (his word, not mine) in his approach, but overall it's a pretty effective study aid. It provides multiple choice questions, plus answers with detailed explanations.

It would be HELLA more helpful if there were a collection of only the questions as an addendum, though. Because I went through it and wrote all over it and now I can't exactly go back and quiz myself the way I want to.

Maybe this is my fault? And other people know better than to do this? But I'm choosing option (c) blame others for your shortsightedness.

[Signe Gould newcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I passed

I graduated over 6 years ago and finally made it a priority to take this test. This study guide helped me in many ways. It refreshed my memory and Gave some good, simple tips I.e. read the entire question, choose the best answer. It took me 3 1/2 hours to complete the test but I know that I would not have passed without using this guide. Love that I could download it to my kindle for 3 months

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I passed! First try! I didn't actually make it through the entire book, but it obviously helped out! The book was very informative and didn't put me directly into a coma like most study guides/text books.

[Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone has different methods of study when it comes to exams. Knowing that I planned to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) in November (2018), during the summer I perused the entirety of the NBCC website in search of ideas on how best to prepare. My solution was simple. I decided to pay the $34.95 and ordered a copy of the NCE preparation guide. Much to my amazement, this flimsy little guide arrived and provided little help – other than an awesome annotated bibliography – in my preparations. Fortunately, I discussed my imbroglio with mentors and peers and ended up getting a copy of the Encyclopedia of Counseling. This fit – exactly – both my preferred method of study and the delivery system (reading) I was used to.

Over the course of two months, I studied both the Encyclopedia of Counseling and listened to Dr. Rosenthal’s tapes simultaneously. The result? First, I would like to offer a reflection on the entire process of studying for the NCC:

Well, it is done. At the end of the test, you get a printout that shows your score for each of the eight CACREP and the five counselor work areas. Additionally, you get the overall raw score. At first glance, it is hard to make any meaning out of this information. While I did not get a perfect 160 out of 160, I am fairly confident, based on my research, that I passed. After the test was over, I immediately started to reflect on both my experience of the test and my preparation methods.

In consideration of my preparation methods, I realized that although I had (1) read the Encyclopedia of Counseling thoroughly; (2) taken multiple practice tests; and, (3) devoted a strict schedule to studying; nothing that I studied directly answered the questions on the actual NCE. At first, this was intimidating. I really thought that it would just be a case of memorization of test questions and then picking out the appropriate answer. However, the actual NCE had some questions that were (1) poorly phrased; (2) decision based – that is, the best possible answer of more than one right answer; and, (3) all of the areas were jumbled together.

During the test, I thought about the above situation and how much stress that would put on someone. While the theory or intent of the questions were similar to those I studied, the actual wording was vastly different. Additionally, the fact that other people were present for a variety of tests (and unprepared, not having required i.d., confused about procedures, projecting their own stress onto others) could definitely have an impact on one’s own level of anxiety. Fortunately, I was able to consider the above information, at the moment, and actually, use that reflection as a way to counter any anxiety that I may have experienced.

Overall, I thought that my strategy for preparation was effective. While I would have loved to be able to immediately answer every question (there were a few that I had to seriously think about before answering), I think that the process of studying, taking practice exams, reading the Encyclopedia of Counseling, and listening to the audio tapes, were effective.

Nonetheless, I do think there are areas for improvement. Specifically, I think I could have (1) spent more time reading the works of the author’s mentioned in the exam (particularly the career development author’s); (2) Spent more time practicing in an environment that matched the testing environment better (to include the time, silence, and input of an extraneous variable [i.e., the other tester’s projection of anxiety]); and, (3) group study – this is the most salient point of my reflection. It seemed that people were unwilling to study as part of a group and opted to go it alone. While I see the benefit of this, I also see the need to interact with others and discuss difficult concepts, or areas, that you might not be conceptualizing correctly. I really wished I could somehow have convinced others in my cohort to study with me.

Overall, I am excited to now focus on the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination I have coming up in May and try and use the above suggestions for improvement in preparing for that exam. I tend to look at aptitude testing more as a celebration of academic achievement rather than a requirement or gotcha type event. I am satisfied with my achievement, but also think that I have much to learn in the field of counseling. The types of test let me know that I am on the right track and help me focus on areas I may not have realized that I have not researched enough. For this I am grateful.

This week (December 17, 2018), I received the actual scores from the exam. Not only did I pass, but I was also two standard deviations above the mean. While I cannot say that the questions were in any way the same as those in the Encyclopedia of Counseling, I can say that the method Rosenthal uses helped me to better conceptualized each question and determine the most appropriate answer. Therefore, I recommend this book for those seeking certification.

Good luck to everyone and may the odds forever be in your favor!

[Cherene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, lots of good info. Seems like it was a good study guide, but I guess I won't know for sure until I get my exam results back! :)

[Geno C. Foral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scored based on the fact that the product accomplishes what it set out to do: to give a thorough preparation of the NCE. It is a drag, but Rosenthal's humor and incremental teaching approach help make up for it.

[Dre · Rating 3 out of 5]

My reading these days is riveting.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I passed the cpce so five stars thanks howard

[Sammie g · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im grateful for you but im going to burn you

[Abigail Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished her!!! Will rate after my test on July 10th hehe. Now to review all my stickies until the big day!!
*** update: PASSED but that b was still hard asf LOL. Purple book definitely prepared me well, but def didn’t know everything LOL. Adding NCC to the end of my name now 😘

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot recommend this book (and the set of CDs that you can order) enough. Sitting for the NCE 20 years after graduate school became far less daunting thanks to Dr. Rosenthal's materials - and I passed the test!

[Kristena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books serves as an excellent review for the National Counselor Exam. Probably the only one you'll need, in fact.

[Ace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for studying for the N.C.E.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides lots of easy-to-read study material for NCE/CPCE prep, but I wouldn't rely on it solely.

[Justin Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I passed my exam, so guess it’s pretty good.

[Katie C Stockdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I passed both my comprehensive exam and the NCE on the first attempt. With this book, the pocket prep study app, and Dr. Rosenthal’s YouTube videos playing on repeat, I was plenty prepared.

[Sarah Kelnhofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My year has been a blur of tests, classes, practicum, internship, supervision, and stress. It's been a good year, don't get me wrong. But I have been slogging through taking my CPCE and then my NCE so I can graduate this May with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Dr. Rosenthal has made that journey much smoother and more pleasant. From the audio files, which I listened to from a friend and then felt bad for having utilized, to this fantastic encyclopedia, which was my constant companion once I deleted those files, Dr. Rosenthal's personable, interesting style of presenting what could be dry facts kept me engaged and able to pass both tests with great scores on the first try. I highly recommend this resource!

[Stevie Ekkelkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mainly put this on here because of the sheer amount of time it took to get through this massive book, and how it affected my other reading. Rosenthal does a good job of building off of information he teaches through the questions that he answers. It helped a lot in taking the NCE, as it modeled what the questions would be like and extensively covered everything. While I liked the format I wish it had more in depth concordance to help restudy areas of struggle.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am studying for the CPCE at the end of the month and I ordered this online from a used book store to study with. Since then everyone I have spoken with has advised me to get "the purple book" and I will be fine. My school is giving us online practice exams to help us prepare -- and they are taken from this book. So hopefully I will do well. I will be reviewing names of theorists and techniques and possibly the statistics/research methods section again before the test.

[Becky Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facts upon facts and many practice questions for the NCE. The questions have very thoroughly explained answers too, in case you answered incorrectly. It was a very dry read yet a necessary read for this looking to take the national exam. When I pass my exam on the first attempt I’ll change the rating to 5 stars. Lol

[Sandy Schleich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book, but it was very long. I like the fact that not only didn’t have questions and the answers to each question buddy. The author also would explain why the answer was the way it was. Especially when it looked like it should be something else, but it wasn’t. I got this book off of book share.

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

My summer has been consumed with this book and with studying for this exam. I hope that after reading this I will be prepared to pass the exam! I am looking forward to moving on to better reading for the summer.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a solid overview. Would have liked a comprehensive test at the end of the book to take after working through the chapter sections, but even without that it was a great resource and helped me pass the NCE.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to help me study for the NCE. I read through the whole thing 1 time and it was easy to understand and extremely helpful for a review. I passed the test and would recommend it to others studying for it as well.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute best book to use to prepare for your counseling license. Rosenthal does all of the work for you and creates an amazing, useful study guide. I recommend this book to almost every person I know going into counseling or psychotherapy.

[Kate Haas · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have to study for the NCE, this is a good way to do it

[Michelle Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for NCE prep. I would also encourage the audio books in the car as this book covers quite a bit of information!