This book was very helpful as a study guide for my Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam.

I have not been in school for almost four years and I lost all my text books in Katrina. This has been a very good, broad refresher in prep for my NCE. The explanations are clear and it easily slips you information in an engaging way. two thumbs up! If I pass the test I will take someone elses thumbs and add them too!

Rosenthal's study guide for the National Certification Exam and State Licensing Exam for counselors is readable, informative and even entertaining. He utilizes repetition, variety and humor to impart information and explain concepts. In many cases he provides that "aha" moment when a fuzzy concept presented in class becomes clear and memorable. The paperback edition is an excellent value.

I let my counseling license lapse in 1997 and when I applied to get it back imagine my surprise when I found out I had to take the NCE exam. I finished my graduate degree in 1980 and, as you could well imagine, forgot every thing that had to do with counseling. When I found out I had only two weeks to prepare for the exam, the first thing I did was searach the internet and fell for the internet study program. After spending hundreds of dollars, I soon found out that it was nothing more than games which, quite honestly, made no sense to me. It was then that I went to Amazon and saw Rosenthal's book. I figured, What the ____!! I was desperate. When the book arrived and I started going through it, my anxiety level went from panic to "OK if I do my part, I will pass". Sure enough, in a two week time frame, I went through the book and the questions twice and when I went into the exam, there were only 4 or 5 questions that I had no knowledge base of. This book is the answer. Do not waste your money on anything else. This book will give you all the information you need in an interesting and informative manner. I learned more from this book than I learned in all my graduate studies. If you study this book, you will pass the exam!! P.S. I passed the NCE exam with flying colors!!!!

This book is unlike any other review guide. Instead of merely reporting what items could be on the NCE, it teaches the material. I had no idea it existed until one month before I was scheduled to take the exam. I had studied with two other review works for 2 months and felt really unprepared. But in one month with the Rosenthal...well, I passed! With a great score! It was my life saver.

Since it has been more than 10 years since I completed my M.A. in Professional Counseling, I was more than worried about how to adequately prepare for the NCE... After taking and passing the NCE, I can NOW say that reading this book from cover to cover (and reviewing certain sections a 2nd time!) made all the difference for me. The Q&A format flowed nicely, and key concepts were repeatedly explained.

I completed all 1050 items in this book before completing a sample NBCC test...

My first pass rate for Encyclopedia questions: 84.0%
My first pass rate for the NBCC sample test questions: 63.1%

Incidentally, 63.8% (102.10/160) was the minimum passing score for the April 2007 NCE; 69% of state candidates passed, and 84% of national candidates passed. If my actual NCE score reflected my sample test score, I would have failed.

The items in this book are much easier than NBCC items, meaning that this text has the potential to impart false confidense. NBCC items are VERY well-constructed.

The Encyclopedia takes a long time to read because much of the page space in consumed by folksy, tangential, occasionally dated discussion.

I spent three days plowing through the Encyclopedia; my time would have been better spent reviewing a theories of counseling textbook.

I purchased this book to help me study for the NCE. It is written in a conversational style which makes it easy to read and lessens the boredom of studying. I read the book cover to cover in preparation for my test, but did no other real "studying" for the exam. I passed on the first try! I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying for their NCE-- it is excellent!!

This was a great purchase. It arrived quickly in perfect condition and met my needs exactly.

After being out of school for 5 years and not practicing a bit of counseling, I decided to apply for licensure and had to take the NCE to get it. This book was the main study tool I used (along with reviewing the current ethical guidelines for the NBCC & the state I live in, as well as the study guide provided by the NBCC). I hadn't touched a textbook in over 5 years and all I did was start 2 months before the test and read this book very carefully. I didn't pay extra for the tapes or anything else. I didn't feel ready for the test and was terrified when I took it, but I ended up passing and scored well beyond the minimum passing score!
This book is a great tool and I highly recommend it! Make sure you get the study guide booklet from the NBCC as well because some of those questions in there were nearly identical to those on the actual test.

I took the NCE exam in July 2008 and just received my grade -- I passed! Not only passed but did very well. This book is a MUST have for the NCE Exam -- it is the ONLY book I studied to prepare for the exam -- except for the statistics section I went back to my college textbook for further review. Make sure you know the NAMES of the different theorists and their theories for the Career Counseling section and there were more family counseling questions then I had expected on the exam. Definitely buy this book to prepare for the NCE exam!

I am preparing to take the NCE exam and have been actually enjoying preparing for it by reading this book. I like that many things repeat from one question to another. It really helps me memorize important details.

Encyclopedia of Counseling: Master review and Tutorial for the National Counselor Examination, State Counseling Exams, and the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination, Third Edition
This book is a must for any graduate student preparing for THE licensing exam for counselors. The 600+ pages appear daunting at first glance. However, the book reads like a novel with humor and is hard to put down. The book is easy to read in chunks. Rosenthal provides memory tips, which are extremely helpful. Having the book early during graduate school provides confidence, helps to get a lot of valuable information into long term memory, and is a great study aid while taking classes. I strongly urge anyone preparing for the exam to purchase the book very soon after entering graduate school for counseling. I wouldn't attempt the exam without reading this book at least twice. Rosenthal knows what he is talking about and how to prepare anyone for this difficult exam. Highly recommended, if not outrageously recommended!

This book appears to be an excellent study guide for the NCE. It is written in easy to understand language.

Haven't taken test yet so only gave four stars. Hopefully after test can give five stars. Since studying with this book I can say my confidence has increased, and I feel that I will pass exam.

This book is laid out really well for efficeint review and study for the NCC Exam. I really enjoy reading it, as the content it paired with witty remarks and memorable mnemonic devices.

I was a nervous wreck about taking the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Rosenthal's Encyclopedia of Counseling put my worries to rest. Even though it takes a lot of hours to tackle the review book, it is well worth the effort.

This is a great resource for anyone studying for the NCE exam. The author has designed the book in sections which makes it easier to study from. He covers Human Growth and Development, Cultural Counseling, Theories, Helping Relationships, Groups, Career Development, Testing and Assessment, Research and Evaluation, Ethics and Legal issues in Counseling, Counseling Families, Diagnosis. He provides exam hints that go into detail beyond answering the questions; he provides ways to remember concepts; he bolds items of importance. I take it with me everywhere!

The book was received one day earlier than advised. It is in perfect condition.

Haven't gotten through the whole thing yet but so far this has been a very helpful review of the major areas of counselor education to prepare for the NCE