OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Virginia Professional Counselor — Requirements & Free Practice

US-VA · License preparation

551 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Choose an exam or combined practice to begin.

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Independent professional counseling license. Inactive status and restrictions are forms of this license; maintenance and reinstatement pathways are recorded separately.

Licensing authority: Virginia Board of Counseling · Application information

Annual active license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Annual ce
Complete 20 continuing competency hours per annual LPC renewal, including two hours in ethics, standards of practice, or Virginia behavioral-science laws.
Attestation
Attest to applicable continuing competency.
Ce exceptions
The Board may grant a good-cause extension or an exemption for circumstances beyond the licensee's control.
Deadline
Submit renewal form and fee by June 30 annually.
Dual license
A person dually licensed by this Board need not complete separate continuing competency for each license; satisfy one applicable requirement.
First renewal
An LPC licensed by examination is exempt from continuing competency for the first renewal after initial licensure.
Volunteer credit
Up to two annual CE hours may be earned through uncompensated qualifying services to low-income clients at three service hours per CE hour.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication after denial of reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application fee
Submit a new application, required verifications and disclosures, and $600 fee.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is subject to an administrative proceeding and the Board's discretionary decision.
Petition
Show good cause or substantial new evidence when required.
Prior action
Reinstatement was denied by Board order; meet its terms.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after denial of renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application fee
Submit a new application, required verifications and disclosures, and $600 fee.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is subject to an administrative proceeding and the Board's discretionary decision.
Petition
Show good cause or substantial new evidence when required.
Prior action
The Board denied LPC renewal; satisfy its order.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement
Application
Submit the Board application and nonrefundable fee.
Disciplinary history
No unresolved disciplinary action; the Board considers past disciplinary history case by case.
Disclosures
Provide explanations and supporting documents for affirmative criminal-conviction, past-action, or impairment answers.
Graduate degree
Provide an official transcript documenting completion of a graduate degree program.
Identity
Provide a Social Security number or Virginia DMV control number, and proof of legal name changes when applicable.
License verifications
Provide verification of other health or mental health credentials ever held as required by the applicable application.
Npdb
Submit a current NPDB self-query report; application instructions require a digitally certified report generated no more than 30 days before applying.
Other state exam
If the original license used a state-constructed examination, have that licensing state send the score directly to Virginia. An examination belonging to another state is an applicant condition.
Prior exam
Provide a passing score on the counseling licensure examination required where the license was obtained.
Prior license
Hold or have held a professional counselor license in another United States jurisdiction permitting independent assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of behavioral health conditions.
Score transfer
If the original jurisdiction required NCMHCE or NCE, have NBCC send that passing score directly to Virginia. Prior passage of these currently offered examinations remains a leaf; a new sitting is not necessarily required.
Source license wording
The Board page and July 2026 instructions specify an unrestricted prior license; 18VAC115-20-45 describes the required independent-practice authority.
Licensure by examination
Application
Submit the Board application and nonrefundable fee.
Approved supervision
Hours must be concurrent with approved supervision; qualifying hours approved by another United States licensing board are accepted.
Client contact
Complete at least 2,000 hours of face-to-face clinical counseling client contact.
Core coursework
Complete at least three semester or four quarter hours in each of the twelve listed core areas: professional identity and ethics; counseling theories; counseling techniques; human development; group counseling; career counseling; appraisal and diagnosis; psychopathology; multicultural counseling; research; addictive disorders; marriage and family systems theory.
Disciplinary history
No unresolved disciplinary action; the Board considers past disciplinary history case by case.
Disclosures
Provide explanations and supporting documents for affirmative criminal-conviction, past-action, or impairment answers.
Exam timing
The examination may be taken during residency without Board preapproval; continue supervision until the examination is passed and LPC licensure is granted.
Foreign degree
For programs outside the United States or Canada, provide an acceptable credential evaluation permitting Board review of program equivalence.
Graduate credits
Complete 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study under 18VAC115-20-51.
Graduate degree
Complete a graduate counseling degree from a regionally accredited college or university meeting 18VAC115-20-49; CACREP or CORE programs satisfy its program criteria.
Identity
Provide a Social Security number or Virginia DMV control number, and proof of legal name changes when applicable.
Internship
Complete a supervised internship of at least 600 hours including 240 hours of face-to-face client contact.
License verifications
Provide verification of other health or mental health credentials ever held as required by the applicable application.
Military training
Under § 54.1-118(A), substantially equivalent military training, education, or experience of an honorably discharged servicemember must be credited; document equivalency as required.
Npdb
Submit a current NPDB self-query report; application instructions require a digitally certified report generated no more than 30 days before applying.
Older coursework
The Board may accept counseling graduate hours completed before April 12, 2000 under the regulations applicable when they were completed.
Passing score
Pass NCMHCE or NCE before applying for LPC licensure; have NBCC send official scores directly to the Board.
Qualified supervisor
Use an active unrestricted LPC or LMFT supervisor with two years post-licensure clinical experience and required supervision training; at least 100 supervision hours must be from an LPC.
Recent residency
Complete at least 1,000 client-contact hours and 100 supervision hours in the two years immediately before applying.
Residency
Complete a supervised counseling residency of at least 21 months.
Residency documentation
Submit verification of supervision and quarterly evaluations with satisfactory competency evaluations; verify supervisor licensure for out-of-jurisdiction residency.
Supervision
Complete at least 200 hours of in-person supervision at one to four supervision hours per 40 work hours; secure real-time visual technology is permitted, and no more than half may be group supervision.
Supervision special requests
The Board may consider special requests for geography or disability creating an undue burden in access to qualified supervision.
Tricare
NCMHCE, rather than NCE alone, is needed for TRICARE reimbursement according to the Board; licensure accepts either examination.
Annual inactive license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fee
Pay the inactive annual fee.
Inactive license
Maintain an inactive LPC license.
Practice prohibition
Do not practice while inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Placement in inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fee
Pay the inactive renewal fee.
Practice prohibition
No practice without a current active license.
Prior license
Hold an LPC license and request inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after lapse of one year or more
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application fee
Submit reinstatement application and fee.
Continued ability
The Board may require evidence of continued ability to perform licensed functions.
Continued competency
Provide all applicable CE, capped at 80 hours.
Lapse
The license was not renewed for one year or more.
License verification
Verify any mental health license held or previously held elsewhere.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continued competency
Provide evidence of all applicable CE.
Fees
Pay the late fee and missed renewal fee.
Lapse
The license expired no more than one year ago.
Practice prohibition
Do not practice under an expired license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited endorsement for military spouses
Application
Submit the Board application and nonrefundable fee.
Complete application
Submit a complete application and documentation required for equivalency review.
Disciplinary eligibility
The applicant must not have engaged in conduct constituting grounds for disciplinary action.
Disciplinary history
No unresolved disciplinary action; the Board considers past disciplinary history case by case.
Disclosures
Provide explanations and supporting documents for affirmative criminal-conviction, past-action, or impairment answers.
Expedited review
Expedite the application; issue a temporary license if required review cannot be completed within 20 days.
Graduate degree
Provide an official transcript documenting completion of a graduate degree program.
Identity
Provide a Social Security number or Virginia DMV control number, and proof of legal name changes when applicable.
License verifications
Provide verification of other health or mental health credentials ever held as required by the applicable application.
Military spouse
Accompany a spouse on federal active-duty orders, or a veteran who left active duty within one year of application, to Virginia, an adjoining state, or the District of Columbia.
Npdb
Submit a current NPDB self-query report; application instructions require a digitally certified report generated no more than 30 days before applying.
Other state exam
If the original license used a state-constructed examination, have that licensing state send the score directly to Virginia. An examination belonging to another state is an applicant condition.
Prior exam
Provide a passing score on the counseling licensure examination required where the license was obtained.
Prior license
Hold the same or a similar professional license in another jurisdiction.
Score transfer
If the original jurisdiction required NCMHCE or NCE, have NBCC send that passing score directly to Virginia. Prior passage of these currently offered examinations remains a leaf; a new sitting is not necessarily required.
Source license wording
The Board page and July 2026 instructions specify an unrestricted prior license; 18VAC115-20-45 describes the required independent-practice authority.
Substantial equivalency
The Board determines equivalency of the other jurisdiction's requirements and may waive experience requirements supported by documentation.
Reactivation of an inactive license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continued ability
The Board may require evidence of continued ability to practice.
Continued competency
Document CE for inactive years, capped at 80 hours.
Fee
Pay active renewal fee minus inactive fee already paid.
Inactive license
Hold an inactive LPC license.
License verification
Verify any current or former mental health license elsewhere.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after revocation
Application fee
Submit the application, required disclosures and license verifications, and $600 fee.
Board vote
An affirmative vote of three-fourths of members at the hearing is required.
Competence
Show by clear and convincing evidence that practice will be safe and competent; the Board investigates causes for denial.
Exam discretion
The Board may grant reinstatement without further examination; obey the individualized Board order.
Original grant
§ 54.1-2408.2 uses the original licensure requirements; currently identified LPC exams are NCMHCE and NCE. An original state-constructed examination of another jurisdiction is a condition.
Petition
Show good cause or substantial new evidence under 18VAC115-20-140(B).
Revocation
The LPC license was revoked; generally wait at least three years before the Board considers reinstatement.
Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application fee
Submit a new application, required verifications and disclosures, and $600 fee.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is subject to an administrative proceeding and the Board's discretionary decision.
Petition
Show good cause or substantial new evidence when required.
Prior action
The LPC license was suspended; meet the Board order terms.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

National Counselor Examination

Provider
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); administered through the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) and delivered by Pearson VUE at test centers or online through OnVUE
Format
200-question, multiple-choice, non-sectioned examination; scored and unscored items appear in jumbled order; a different form is compiled for each administration
Exam questions
200 multiple-choice questions: 160 scored and 40 unscored field-test items
Time limit
225 minutes to complete the examination within a 255-minute test session (one scheduled 15-minute break after question #100)
Passing score
Criterion passing score set by a modified Angoff method and adjusted for each form by statistical equating; passing scores may vary slightly for each version
Examination outline
  • 1. Professional Practice and Ethics — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities related to maintaining proper administrative and clinical protocols. (12% of items; 19 scored items) (12%)
    • A. Assess your (the counselor) competency to work with a specific client
    • B. Understand statistical concepts and methods in research
    • C. Practice legal and ethical counseling
    • D. Clarify counselor–client roles
    • E. Discuss client’s rights and responsibilities
    • F. Discuss limits of confidentiality
    • G. Explain counselor agency policies
    • H. Review payment, fees, and insurance benefits
    • I. Explain counseling processes, procedures, risks, and benefits
    • J. Explain uses and limits of social media
    • K. Inform clients about the legal aspects of counseling
    • L. Obtain informed consent
    • M. Discuss confidentiality as it applies to electronic communication
    • N. Establish group rules, expectations, and termination criteria
    • O. Assess competency to provide informed consent
    • P. Monitor the therapeutic relationship and build trust as needed
    • Q. Review client records
    • R. Provide adequate accommodations for clients with disabilities
    • S. Provide information to third parties
    • T. Provide referral sources if counseling services are inadequate/ inappropriate
    • U. Advocate for professional and client issues
    • V. Seek supervision/consultation
    • W. Create and maintain documentation appropriate for each aspect of the counseling process
    • X. Awareness and practice of self-care
  • 2. Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively conduct client intake, assessment, and diagnosis. (12% of items; 19 scored items) (12%)
    • A. Conduct a biopsychosocial interview
    • B. Conduct a diagnostic interview
    • C. Conduct cultural formulation interview
    • D. Conduct an initial interview
    • E. Determine diagnosis
    • F. Perform a Mental Status Exam (MSE)
    • G. Consider co-occurring diagnoses
    • H. Determine level of care needed
    • I. Determine the appropriate modality of treatment
    • J. Assess the presenting problem and level of distress
    • K. Evaluate an individual’s level of mental health functioning
    • L. Screen clients for appropriate services
    • M. Select, use, and interpret appropriate assessment instruments
    • N. Use formal and informal observations
    • O. Assess for trauma
    • P. Assess substance use
    • Q. Obtain client self-reports
    • R. Evaluate interactional dynamics
    • S. Conduct ongoing assessment for at-risk behaviors (i.e., suicide, homicide, self/other injury, and relationship violence)
    • T. Use pre-test and post-test measures to assess outcomes
    • U. Evaluate counseling effectiveness
  • 3. Areas of Clinical Focus — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge and skills related to areas of clients’ concern(s). (29% of items; 47 scored items) (29%)
    • A. Adjustment related to physical loss/injury/medical condition
    • B. Aging/geriatric concerns
    • C. Behavioral problems
    • D. Bullying
    • E. Caregiving concerns
    • F. Cultural adjustments
    • G. End-of-life issues
    • H. Fear and panic
    • I. Financial issues
    • J. Gender identity development
    • K. Grief/loss
    • L. Hopelessness/depression
    • M. Loneliness/attachment
    • N. Hyper/hypo mental focus
    • O. Intellectual functioning issues
    • P. Insomnia/sleep issues
    • Q. Maladaptive eating behaviors
    • R. Remarriage/recommitment
    • S. Developmental processes/tasks/issues
    • T. Obsessive thoughts/behaviors
    • U. Occupation and career development
    • V. Physical issues related to anxiety
    • W. Physical issues related to depression
    • X. Physical/emotional issues related to trauma
    • Y. Process addictions (pornography, gambling)
    • Z. Racism/discrimination/oppression
    • AA. Religious values conflict
    • AB. Retirement concerns
    • AC. Ruminating and/or intrusive thoughts
    • AD. Separation from primary care givers
    • AE. Sexual functioning concerns
    • AF. Sleeping habits
    • AG. Spiritual/existential concerns
    • AH. Stress management
    • AI. Substance use/addiction issues
    • AJ. Suicidal thoughts/behaviors
    • AK. Terminal illness issues
    • AL. Visual/auditory hallucinations
    • AM. Worry and anxiety
    • AN. Adoption issues
    • AO. Blended family issues
    • AP. Child abuse-related concerns
    • AQ. Child development issues
    • AR. Dating/relationship problems
    • AS. Divorce
    • AT. Family abuse/violence (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional)
    • AU. Interpersonal partner violence concerns
    • AV. Marital/partner communication problems
    • AW. Parenting/co-parenting conflicts
    • AX. Emotional dysregulation
  • 4. Treatment Planning — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop an effective course of treatment. (9% of items; 14 scored items) (9%)
    • A. Collaborate with client to establish treatment goals and objectives
    • B. Establish short- and long-term counseling goals consistent with clients’ diagnoses
    • C. Identify barriers affecting client goal attainment
    • D. Identify strengths that improve the likelihood of goal attainment
    • E. Refer to different levels of treatment (e.g., outpatient, inpatient, residential, etc.)
    • F. Refer to others for concurrent treatment
    • G. Guide treatment planning
    • H. Discuss termination process and issues
    • I. Discuss transitions in group membership
    • J. Follow-up after discharge
    • K. Use assessment instrument results to facilitate client decision making
    • L. Review and revise the treatment plan
    • M. Engage clients in review of progress toward treatment goals
    • N. Collaborate with other providers and client support systems (documentation and report writing)
    • O. Discuss with clients the integration and maintenance of therapeutic progress
    • P. Educate client to the value of treatment plan compliance
  • 5. Counseling Skills and Interventions — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct effective counseling. (30% of items; 48 scored items) (30%)
    • A. Align intervention with client’s developmental level
    • B. Align intervention with counseling modality (individual, couple, family, or group)
    • C. Align intervention with client population (e.g., veterans, minorities, disenfranchised, disabled)
    • D. Implement individual counseling in relation to a plan of treatment
    • E. Establish therapeutic alliance
    • F. Apply theory-based counseling intervention(s)
    • G. Address addiction issues
    • H. Address cultural considerations
    • I. Address family composition and cultural considerations
    • J. Evaluate and explain systemic patterns of interaction
    • K. Explore family member interaction
    • L. Explore religious and spiritual values
    • M. Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems
    • N. Help clients develop support systems
    • O. Help facilitate clients’ motivation to make the changes they desire
    • P. Improve interactional patterns
    • Q. Provide crisis intervention
    • R. Educate client about transference and defense mechanisms
    • S. Facilitate trust and safety
    • T. Build communication skills
    • U. Develop conflict resolution strategies
    • V. Develop safety plans
    • W. Facilitate systemic change
    • X. Provide distance counseling or telemental health
    • Y. Provide education resources (e.g., stress management, assertiveness training, divorce adjustment)
    • Z. Provide psychoeducation for client
    • AA. Summarize
    • AB. Reframe/redirect
    • AC. Facilitate empathic responses
    • AD. Use self-disclosure
    • AE. Use constructive confrontation
    • AF. Facilitate awareness of here-and-now interactions
    • AG. Facilitate resolution of interpersonal conflict
    • AH. Use linking and blocking in a group context
    • AI. Management of leader–member dynamics
    • AJ. Model giving and receiving of feedback
    • AK. Address impact of extended families
    • AL. Contain and manage intense feelings
    • AM. Explore the influence of family of origin patterns and themes
    • AN. Address the impact of social support network
    • AO. Use “structured” activities
    • AP. Promote and encourage interactions among group members
    • AQ. Promote and encourage interactions with the group leader
    • AR. Use psychoeducation as a part of the group process
    • AS. Explain phases in the group process
    • AT. Identify and discuss group themes and patterns
    • AU. Create intervention based on the stage of group development
    • AV. Challenge harmful group member behaviors
    • AW. Address the potential interaction of members outside of the group
  • 6. Core Counseling Attributes — This section encompasses behaviors, traits, and dispositions of effective counselors. (8% of items; 13 scored items) (8%)
    • A. Awareness of self and impact on clients
    • B. Genuineness
    • C. Congruence
    • D. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to gender orientation and gender issues
    • E. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to multicultural issues
    • F. Demonstrate conflict tolerance and resolution
    • G. Empathic attunement
    • H. Empathic responding
    • I. Foster the emergence of group therapeutic factors
    • J. Non-judgmental stance
    • K. Positive regard
    • L. Respect and acceptance for diversity
    • M. Use foundational listening, attending, and reflecting skills
Examination sources

National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination

Provider
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); administered through the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) and delivered by Pearson VUE at test centers or online through OnVUE
Format
11 clinical case studies, each with one narrative in three sections (initial intake summary and two counseling sessions) followed by 9–15 four-option, single-answer multiple-choice questions; one case study is unscored
Exam questions
130–150 multiple-choice items, of which 100 are scored
Time limit
225 minutes to complete the examination within a 255-minute test session (one scheduled 15-minute break after the fifth case study)
Passing score
Cut score set through standard setting and applied to other forms through statistical equating; the total score is the number of correctly answered scored items
Examination outline
  • 1. Professional Practice and Ethics — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities related to maintaining proper administrative and clinical protocols. (15% of scored items) (15%)
    • A. Assess your (the counselor) competency to work with a specific client
    • B. Understand statistical concepts and methods in research
    • C. Practice legal and ethical counseling
    • D. Clarify counselor/client roles
    • E. Discuss client’s rights and responsibilities
    • F. Discuss limits of confidentiality
    • G. Explain counselor/agency policies
    • H. Review payment, fees, and insurance benefits
    • I. Explain counseling processes, procedures, risks, and benefits
    • J. Explain uses and limits of social media
    • K. Inform clients about the legal aspects of counseling
    • L. Obtain informed consent
    • M. Discuss confidentiality as it applies to electronic communication
    • N. Establish group rules, expectations, and termination criteria
    • O. Assess competency to provide informed consent
    • P. Monitor the therapeutic relationship and build trust as needed
    • Q. Review client records
    • R. Provide adequate accommodations for clients with disabilities
    • S. Provide information to third parties
    • T. Provide referral sources if counseling services are inadequate/inappropriate
    • U. Advocate for professional and client issues
    • V. Supervision
    • W. Create and maintain documentation appropriate for each aspect of the counseling process
    • X. Awareness and practice of self-care
  • 2. Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively conduct client intake, assessment, and diagnosis. (25% of scored items) (25%)
    • A. Conduct a biopsychosocial interview
    • B. Conduct a diagnostic interview
    • C. Conduct cultural formulation interview
    • D. Conduct an initial interview
    • E. Determine diagnosis
    • F. Perform a Mental Status Exam (MSE)
    • G. Consider co-occurring diagnoses
    • H. Determine level of care needed
    • I. Determine the appropriate modality of treatment
    • J. Assess the presenting problem and level of distress
    • K. Evaluate an individual’s level of mental health functioning
    • L. Screen clients for appropriate services
    • M. Select, use, and interpret appropriate assessment instruments
    • N. Use formal and informal observations
    • O. Assess for trauma
    • P. Assess substance use
    • Q. Obtain client self-reports
    • R. Evaluate interactional dynamics
    • S. Conduct ongoing assessment for at-risk behaviors (i.e., suicide, homicide, self/other-injury, and relationship violence)
    • T. Use pre-test and post-test measures to assess outcomes
    • U. Evaluate counseling effectiveness
  • 4. Treatment Planning — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop an effective course of treatment. (15% of scored items) (15%)
    • A. Collaborate with client to establish treatment goals and objectives
    • B. Establish short- and long-term counseling goals consistent with client’s diagnosis
    • C. Identify barriers affecting client goal attainment
    • D. Identify strengths that improve the likelihood of goal attainment
    • E. Refer to different levels of treatment (e.g., outpatient, inpatient, residential)
    • F. Refer to others for concurrent treatment
    • G. Guide treatment planning
    • H. Discuss termination process and issues
    • I. Discuss transitions in group membership
    • J. Follow up after discharge
    • K. Use assessment instrument results to facilitate client decision-making
    • L. Review and revise the treatment plan
    • M. Engage clients in review of progress toward treatment goals
    • N. Collaborate with other providers and client support systems (documentation and report writing)
    • O. Discuss with clients the integration and maintenance of therapeutic progress
    • P. Educate client to the value of treatment plan compliance
  • 5. Counseling Skills and Interventions — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct effective counseling. (30% of scored items) (30%)
    • A. Align intervention with client’s developmental level
    • B. Align intervention with counseling modality (individual, couple, family, or group)
    • C. Align intervention with client population (e.g., veterans, minorities, disenfranchised, disabled)
    • D. Implement individual counseling in relation to a plan of treatment
    • E. Establish therapeutic alliance
    • F. Apply theory-based counseling intervention(s)
    • G. Address addiction issues
    • H. Address cultural considerations
    • I. Address family composition and cultural considerations
    • J. Evaluate and explain systemic patterns of interaction
    • K. Explore family member interaction
    • L. Explore religious and spiritual values
    • M. Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems
    • N. Help clients develop support systems
    • O. Help facilitate clients’ motivation to make the changes they desire
    • P. Improve interactional patterns
    • Q. Provide crisis intervention
    • R. Educate client about transference and defense mechanisms
    • S. Facilitate trust and safety
    • T. Build communication skills
    • U. Develop conflict resolution strategies
    • V. Develop safety plans
    • W. Facilitate systemic change
    • X. Provide distance counseling or telemental health
    • Y. Provide education resources (e.g., stress management, assertiveness training, divorce adjustment)
    • Z. Provide psychoeducation for client
    • AA. Summarize
    • AB. Reframe/redirect
    • AC. Facilitate empathic responses
    • AD. Use self-disclosure
    • AE. Use constructive confrontation
    • AF. Facilitate awareness of here-and-now interactions
    • AG. Facilitate resolution of interpersonal conflict
    • AH. Use linking and blocking in a group context
    • AI. Management of leader–member dynamics
    • AJ. Model giving and receiving of feedback
    • AK. Address impact of extended families
    • AL. Contain and manage intense feelings
    • AM. Explore the influence of family of origin patterns and themes
    • AN. Address the impact of social support network
    • AO. Use “structured” activities
    • AP. Promote and encourage interactions among group members
    • AQ. Promote and encourage interactions with the group leader
    • AR. Use psychoeducation as a part of the group process
    • AS. Explain phases in the group process
    • AT. Identify and discuss group themes and patterns
    • AU. Create intervention based on the stage of group development
    • AV. Challenge harmful group member behaviors
    • AW. Address the potential interaction of members outside of the group
  • 6. Core Counseling Attributes — This section encompasses behaviors, traits, and dispositions of effective counselors. (15% of scored items) (15%)
    • A. Awareness of self and impact on clients
    • B. Genuineness
    • C. Congruence
    • D. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to gender orientation and gender issues
    • E. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to multicultural issues
    • F. Demonstrate conflict tolerance and resolution
    • G. Empathic attunement
    • H. Empathic responding
    • I. Foster the emergence of group therapeutic factors
    • J. Non-judgmental stance
    • K. Positive regard
    • L. Respect and acceptance for diversity
    • M. Use foundational listening, attending, and reflecting skills
Examination sources