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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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