After months of writing, editing (not always well), second-guessing myself, and one too many late nights, Happy AF (And Flourishing) is officially live.
This is a book that’s meant to be used, not sit on a shelf, even (perhaps especially) when you’re feeling exhausted, burned out, or skeptical about happiness as a whole.
What makes Happy AF different?
No long chapters; instead, you’ll find short daily practices with suggestions on ways to complete them and helpful tools.
No toxic positivity or BS: clear “Why it works” explanations (scientific research to back up the practices).
Designed for helpers, educators, overthinkers, and people who want something practical without being preachy or for anyone who wants a little more happiness in their life.
Flexible enough for clinicians to use on their own or with clients/patients.
Just to be clear, despite the title, this book contains zero profanity. (No actual curse words were used in the making of this book.)
Companion page with free tools
To make it even more user-friendly, I created a companion page with printable tools, sample pages, downloads, and updates that expand on the book.
If you’ve already picked up my book, thank you, truly. If you’re still deciding, the companion page will give you a good feel for whether it’s right for you.
If this book or the companion resources help even a little, reviews and shares make a bigger difference than you might realize.
What’s coming next?
A companion journal is in the works. If you’re actually using the book, this guided journal is for you.
I promise it’s just as helpful, engaging, poorly edited, and steeped in science as the book. Be the first to know when it goes live by subscribing (to your right) or checking the companion page regularly. (I recommend bookmarking it!)
This quiz takes you beyond the basics and into the kind of real-world knowledge clinicians actually use. Whether you’re brushing up for the NCE, sharpening your clinical instincts, or just testing what you think you know, dive in and see how strong your psychotropics game really is. Let’s get started.
Part 2: Think You Can Ace This DSM-5-TR Quiz? Let’s See.
Think you’re ready for a deeper challenge? This DSM-5-TR (Part 2) quiz takes it up a notch, pushing you to apply diagnostic knowledge with sharper distinctions and more advanced clinical nuance. You’ll test your ability to spot subtle differences, identify key specifiers, and recognize patterns that trip people up on the NCE—and in real-world assessments. Stay focused, trust your training, and use this as a chance to strengthen the areas that matter most. Let’s dive in.
If you’re drawn to bite-sized learning that actually sticks, TED-Ed is a goldmine. Their short, visually engaging lessons spark insight, challenge assumptions, and make complex ideas feel accessible. In this post, I’ve curated 20 of the best TED-Eds for personal growth and learning—handpicked for their clarity, depth, and real-world relevance. Whether you’re a counselor, educator, student, or just someone who loves to learn, these videos can be used for self-reflection, growth, discussion, or as powerful supplements in the classroom or therapy office.
1. The best way to become good at something
2. Do you really need to take 10,000 steps a day?
3. 3 tips to boost your confidence
4. Can saunas make you live longer?
5. How some friendships last — and others don’t
6. How to overcome your mistakes
7. Is it normal to talk to yourself?
8. How to communicate clearly
9. How stress affects your body
10. What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it?
11. How to spot a misleading graph
12. How to spot a pyramid scheme
13. The language of lying
14. What is schizophrenia?
15. What happens to your brain without any social contact?
16. What would happen if everyone stopped eating meat tomorrow?
17. What actually causes high cholesterol?
18. Can you change your sleep schedule?
19. How to enter flow state
20. How to stay calm under pressure
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, you’re clearly someone who cares about growing, thinking differently, and leveling up your life. These TED-Ed lessons aren’t just “videos to watch”; they’re quick hits of insight that can change the way you understand yourself and the world. Pick one today and actually apply something from it — even a small shift adds up. Keep exploring, keep questioning, and keep building a life that feels intentional instead of accidental. You deserve that kind of momentum.
Think you’ve got a solid handle on diagnostic criteria and clinical distinctions? This DSM-5-TR (Part 1) quiz will put your knowledge to the test. You’ll review core features, duration requirements, and differentiating symptoms across a variety of disorders—just like you’ll see on the NCE and in real clinical practice. Take your time, trust what you know, and notice where you might want a little more review. Let’s get started.
Once you’re finished with Part 1, move on to Part 2. If you’re studying for the NCE, you may also want to consider taking the free NCE 2025-2026 Practice Exam.
This is Part 6 in a six-part series covering the major content areas on the National Counselor Exam. The questions in this section are drawn from the 2025–2026 Mometrix Test Prep Flashcards, the Encyclopedia of Counseling (3rd Edition), and the DSM-5-TR. You don’t need to buy pricey prep materials—I already did. I’m sharing the information here for free. This is one of the most comprehensive free NCE prep resources available. For best results, watch all the videos in the series and then take the practice exam. There’s also a free tracking sheet you can download to record any questions you miss. It’ll help you see exactly where you need to spend more study time. Feel free to share this series with others who are studying for the exam, and use it with your study group if it’s helpful.
Section 1:
Section 2:
View all the videos in the free NCE study guide series for 2025-2026 and test you knowledge with the free practice exam:
Welcome to the fifth post in my free NCE study series. Each post focuses on one major topic area you’ll see on the exam and includes short, guided practice. Start by watching the videos in order—pause after each question to think through your answer, then hit play to check your reasoning. Once you’ve finished all videos, test yourself with the interactive multiple-choice quiz to expand on what you learned.
This post focuses on intake, assessment, and diagnosis and the theories that guide them—domains that show up frequently on the NCE.
View the other free NCE 2025-2026 study guides in this series and take the 175-question practice exam:
Your goal is not just a score — it’s identifying your weak content areas.
This exam does not measure your ability to help people. It measures recall under stress. Every point you improve is progress. You’re training your brain to think like a test-taker—not a therapist.
You’re building skill. You’re moving forward. You’ve got this.
Consider viewing the free NCE Study Guide Series (videos with question and answer slides):
The Modified Angoff Method is the standard-setting process used to determine the passing score on the NCE. It’s how the exam decides what score counts as “passing” for that specific test form.
How It Works
A panel of licensed counseling experts reviews each test question before the exam is given.
For every question, each expert estimates the percentage of minimally competent entry-level counselors who would answer that question correctly.
Not struggling counselors.
Barely-qualified-but-acceptable counselors.
Not good counselors.
Those percentage ratings across all questions are averaged and totaled.
That total becomes the cut score (aka the minimum passing score).
The final passing score may be slightly adjusted for fairness depending on exam difficulty.
Why This Matters
The passing score is not a fixed number like “You need 70%.”
Different test versions can have slightly different cut scores.
This ensures the exam is fair, even if one version is harder than another.
NCE Content Breakdown
CACREP Domain
Approx % on Exam
Professional Orientation & Ethics
10–12%
Human Growth & Development
12–14%
Social & Cultural Diversity
10–12%
Helping Relationships
14–16%
Group Work
9–10%
Career Development
12–14%
Assessment
10–12%
Research & Program Evaluation
5–7%
When you review missed questions, match them back to these domains.
For this practice NCE, a 70% is required to pass.
Test-Day Strategy Tips
1. Don’t spend more than 60–90 seconds on a single question
2. Trust your first instinct unless you misread the question
3. Look for what the question is actually asking—many are about ethics + least restrictive + client safety
4. If stuck, eliminate two answers first, then choose
Common NCE Trick Question Patterns (How to Outsmart Them)
When two answers are correct, choose the one that is least restrictive and most client-centered.
If safety is involved, stabilize before insight.
On ethics questions, consult + document is almost always there for a reason.
If one answer is judgmental, harsh, or punitive → it’s wrong. Counseling answers prioritize rapport, safety, and dignity.
When in doubt, choose the answer that builds the relationship. Connection first, intervention second.
The “too obvious” answer is usually (but not always) a trap. The correct answer often includes one clarifying detail.
Don’t overthink pharmacology questions. Keep it surface-level: purpose + side effect = enough.
Disclaimer: This practice exam is an independently created study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Counselor Examination (NCE), NBCC, or any commercial test preparation publisher. All questions have been paraphrased, reworded, and/or newly created based on general counseling knowledge and do not reproduce proprietary test questions. This resource is for educational purposes only and should be used as a supplemental study tool—not as a replacement for official preparation materials.
Did you take the exam recently? Share your experience or any content areas you’d like a deeper breakdown of. Your feedback helps me make the next practice exam even better.
