NCMHCE Mock Exam: Test Your Readiness with Clinical Simulations and Multiple-Choice Questions - NFT Art with Lauren McDonagh-Pereira Photography

Preparing for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) can be challenging, but practicing with mock exams can significantly improve your readiness. Below is a mock exam designed to give you a feel for the types of questions and scenarios you might encounter. This exam includes a mix of clinical simulations and multiple-choice questions focusing on assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and legal/ethical issues.

Mock Exam: NCMHCE

Clinical Simulation 1: Jennifer

Scenario: Jennifer, a 32-year-old woman, comes to your office reporting feelings of sadness, low energy, and difficulty concentrating for the past three months. She also mentions experiencing a lack of interest in activities she used to enjoy. Jennifer reports that these symptoms have affected her performance at work and her relationships. She denies any suicidal ideation but expresses frustration and hopelessness about her situation.

Tasks:

Identify the most likely diagnosis.
Determine the appropriate assessment tools to use.
Develop a treatment plan, including therapeutic interventions.

Questions:

What is the most likely diagnosis for Jennifer?
- A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- B. Major Depressive Disorder
- C. Bipolar Disorder
- D. Adjustment Disorder
Which assessment tools would be most appropriate for Jennifer’s case? (Select all that apply)
- A. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
- B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
- C. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
- D. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID)
What therapeutic interventions would be most appropriate for Jennifer? (Select all that apply)
- A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- B. Psychoanalytic Therapy
- C. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- D. Medication Management with SSRIs

Clinical Simulation 2: David

Scenario: David, a 45-year-old man, is referred to you by his primary care physician. David reports experiencing frequent panic attacks, often accompanied by palpitations, sweating, and a fear of losing control. These attacks have occurred several times over the past six months and are unpredictable. David mentions that he avoids certain places where he previously had panic attacks.

Tasks:

Identify the most likely diagnosis.
Determine the appropriate assessment tools to use.
Develop a treatment plan, including therapeutic interventions.

Questions:

What is the most likely diagnosis for David?
- A. Panic Disorder
- B. Social Anxiety Disorder
- C. Agoraphobia
- D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Which assessment tools would be most appropriate for David’s case? (Select all that apply)
- A. Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS)
- B. Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)
- C. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
- D. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
What therapeutic interventions would be most appropriate for David? (Select all that apply)
- A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- B. Exposure Therapy
- C. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- D. Medication Management with Benzodiazepines

Multiple-Choice Questions

Question 1: A client presents with symptoms of excessive worry, restlessness, and muscle tension that have persisted for over six months. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?

A. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
D. Panic Disorder

Question 2: During an intake session, a client reveals that they have been experiencing auditory hallucinations and delusions of persecution for the past two months. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?

A. Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features
B. Schizophrenia
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
D. Schizoaffective Disorder

Question 3: A client diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder is not responding to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) after several months. What is the next best step in treatment planning?

A. Continue CBT for a longer duration
B. Switch to Psychoanalytic Therapy
C. Add or switch to Medication Management
D. Terminate therapy

Question 4: A counselor is working with a client who has been diagnosed with PTSD. Which intervention is considered most effective for treating PTSD?

A. Exposure Therapy
B. Psychoanalytic Therapy
C. Humanistic Therapy
D. Motivational Interviewing

Question 5: In a counseling session, a client discloses intent to harm a specific individual. What is the counselor’s ethical obligation?

A. Maintain confidentiality and continue exploring the client’s feelings
B. Warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement
C. Ignore the disclosure and change the subject
D. Terminate the session immediately

Answer Key

Clinical Simulation 1: Jennifer

Answer: B. Major Depressive Disorder
Answer: A. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), D. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID)
Answer: A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), C. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), D. Medication Management with SSRIs

Clinical Simulation 2: David

Answer: A. Panic Disorder
Answer: A. Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), D. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Answer: A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), B. Exposure Therapy, D. Medication Management with Benzodiazepines

Multiple-Choice Questions

Answer: B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
Answer: C. Add or switch to Medication Management
Answer: A. Exposure Therapy
Answer: B. Warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement

This mock exam should provide a solid practice opportunity to assess your readiness for the NCMHCE. Good luck with your preparation!

For a comprehensive guide on the NCMHCE, including a detailed 6-month study plan, check out our Comprehensive 6-Month NCMHCE Study Plan: Achieve Success. Additionally, you can find more information about the exam structure and content in our post Everything You Need to Know About the NCMHCE: A Comprehensive Guide.

For more resources, visit the NBCC’s official website and explore their exam preparation materials.