Course Description

The Defining Line course contains a series of short educational videos designed to simplify diagnoses in the DSM-5 that have overlapping diagnostic criteria. For example, are you familiar with the differences between Schizophreniform Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Schizoid Personality Disorder? Do you know what to ask to determine if a client is Bulimic or Anorexic? What is the difference between Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder? The objective of The Defining Line course is to equip you with the knowledge necessary to quickly and confidently answer these types of questions.

Counselor Educator

Dr. Alyson Carr

I have a PhD in Counselor Education with a concentration in Instructional Technology from the University of South Florida and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I am a Qualified Supervisor and I specialize in helping counselors prepare for the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). My research focuses on evidence based study tools and techniques used to decrease test anxiety and increase scores on the NCMHCE. My individual tutoring services and NCMHCE Preparation Webinars are provided exclusively online.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    BIPOLAR DISORDER

    • Part I Mania vs Hypomania

    • Quiz 1

    • Part II Bipolar I vs Bipolar II

    • Quiz 2

    • Part III Persistent Depressive Disorder vs Cyclothymic Disorder

    • Quiz 3

    • Comments

  • 2

    ACUTE STRESS VS PTSD

    • Acute Stress vs PTSD

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 3

    OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER VS OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER

    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder vs Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 4

    SPECIFIC PHOBIA VS GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

    • Specific Phobia vs Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 5

    THE SCHI'S

    • Part I Schizophreniform, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, Schizoid, Schizotypal & Brief Psychotic Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Part II Paranoid, Social Anxiety & Delusional Disorder

    • Quiz 2

    • Comments

  • 6

    OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT VS CONDUCT & ANTISOCIAL VS NARCISSISTIC

    • Oppositional Defiant Disorder vs Conduct Disorder & Antisocial Personality Disorder vs Narcissistic Personality Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 7

    DISRUPTIVE MOOD DYSREGULATION DISORDER VS INTERMITTENT EXPLOSIVE DISORDER

    • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder vs Intermittent Explosive Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 8

    PARAPHILIC DISORDERS

    • Voyeuristic, Exhibitionistic, Frotteuristic, Sadism, Masochism, Pedophilic, Fetishistic & Transvestic

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 9

    ANOREXIA NERVOSA VS BULIMIA NERVOSA

    • Anorexia Nervosa vs Bulimia Nervosa

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 10

    BORDERLINE VS HISTRIONIC

    • Borderline vs Histrionic

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 11

    FACTITIOUS DISORDER VS MALINGERING

    • Factitious Disorder vs Malingering

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 12

    AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER VS ADHD

    • Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Stereotypic Movement Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 13

    SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS

    • Delayed Ejaculation, Erectile Disorder, Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Female Orgasmic Disorder, Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder, Female Genito-Pelvic Pain Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 14

    SOMATIC SYMPTOM DISORDER VS ILLNESS ANXIETY DISORDER

    • Somatic Symptom Disorder, Illness Anxiety Disorder & Conversion Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 15

    SEPARATION ANXIETY DISORDER VS DEPENDENT PERSONALITY DISORDER

    • Separation Anxiety Disorder vs Dependent Personality Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 16

    V CODES

    • V Codes

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

  • 17

    RAPID REVIEW

    • Enuresis & Encopresis, Trichotillomania & Excoriation, Kleptomania & Pyromania, Mild & Major Neurocognitive Disorder

    • Quiz 1

    • Comments

Reviews

5 star rating

The Defining Line

candice paolino

Very helpful, and so well done.

Very helpful, and so well done.

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5 star rating

The Defining Line

Carole Martin

This is an absolutely flawless explanation and compilation of study material. Dr. Carr has the gift of being able to present this challenging subject matter ...

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This is an absolutely flawless explanation and compilation of study material. Dr. Carr has the gift of being able to present this challenging subject matter in a way that really points to what is needed for this exam. She has the teaching gene.

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5 star rating

Grace Addow-Langlais

5 star rating

Very Imformtaive

Alicia Garrison

This was so helpful for me with the diagnosis that have similar criteria. Thank you for the videos and making them affordable!

This was so helpful for me with the diagnosis that have similar criteria. Thank you for the videos and making them affordable!

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5 star rating

Patricia Felton

Truly loved this tool. Prayerfully, it will help me with favorable scores on my exam. Thank you for taking the time, in creating this study material!!

Truly loved this tool. Prayerfully, it will help me with favorable scores on my exam. Thank you for taking the time, in creating this study material!!

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5 star rating

Immensely Helpful

Christen Dressel

This course has helped me so much when it comes to distinguishing between the major Diagnoses. Thank you! ...Update: I passed the NCMHCE today! I failed my f...

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This course has helped me so much when it comes to distinguishing between the major Diagnoses. Thank you! ...Update: I passed the NCMHCE today! I failed my first attempt at this exam and passed today. This course helped me a ton in knowing the best applications of the theories in regards to specific diagnoses. I know Dr. Alyson Carr's video courses played a large role in my success today. I highly recommend these videos in addition to the NBCC prep book with a couple simulations and of course... the DSM V.

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5 star rating

Excellent study material

kaleigh dupuis

Defining line really is helpful in identifying the differences in those overlapping symptoms. I feel more confident in diagnosing and taking test soon!

Defining line really is helpful in identifying the differences in those overlapping symptoms. I feel more confident in diagnosing and taking test soon!

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5 star rating

Highly Recommend Defining Line

Christopher Calderon, APCC

I just took the NCMHCE today and I passed! In addition to reviewing the DSM, this website was extremely helpful in helping me to be prepared in being able to...

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I just took the NCMHCE today and I passed! In addition to reviewing the DSM, this website was extremely helpful in helping me to be prepared in being able to more confidently be able to understand the differentials and lines that separate each! Thank you!

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5 star rating

Dr. Carr you are a blessing

Kayisha Thompson

Dr. Carr, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to create this studying tool for us. I authentically feel more confident taking my ...

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Dr. Carr, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to create this studying tool for us. I authentically feel more confident taking my exam this week. I can't say how valuable you are to us learners in the field. Thank you thank you

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5 star rating

👏 Awesome!

Cheryl Castronuovo

I have been searching for the right study materials and finally found it here! Thank you Dr. Carr! The material is intelligently designed and presented for m...

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I have been searching for the right study materials and finally found it here! Thank you Dr. Carr! The material is intelligently designed and presented for maximum comprehension, which is no easy feat!!! Dr. Carr obviously knows her “stuff” and has taken the time and effort to create the most streamlined approach. For the first time, I feel less overwhelmed about preparing for the MHC exam.

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5 star rating

Best $20 spent while prepping for the NCMHCE

Rebecca Heald

5 star rating

Good Title

Jodie Lewis

this course was very useful! thank you!

this course was very useful! thank you!

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5 star rating

DSM 5

Hilary Gallegos

This is an excellent resource to learn the difference between the Dx. I would highly recommend this inexpensive tool to learn the DSM-V.

This is an excellent resource to learn the difference between the Dx. I would highly recommend this inexpensive tool to learn the DSM-V.

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5 star rating

Rating

Karla Cortes

It helped a lot with differentiating specific diagnoses in the DSM-5. The V Codes also helped.

It helped a lot with differentiating specific diagnoses in the DSM-5. The V Codes also helped.

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5 star rating

The Defining Line

Sapna Nair

This was the most helpful and beneficial study material I purchased. The DSM - 5 (understanding the difference in diagnosis) was explained very well and it w...

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This was the most helpful and beneficial study material I purchased. The DSM - 5 (understanding the difference in diagnosis) was explained very well and it was easy to retain the information. Looking at the DSM - 5 and trying to study that was very overwhelming. This tutoring is VERY HELPFUL to overcome that feeling of dread or overwhelm. The BEST $20 spent and an INVESTMENT on myself. Thank You Dr. Carr :)

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5 star rating

Great Course!!!

Ronak Rawal

Very Very informative

Very Very informative

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5 star rating

Wonderful!

Jennie Friedman

This course is my favorite! Dr. Carr does an exceptional job of breaking down the diagnoses found in the DSM- 5 that are closely linked to another and explai...

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This course is my favorite! Dr. Carr does an exceptional job of breaking down the diagnoses found in the DSM- 5 that are closely linked to another and explains the differences in such a way that it is easy to understand. I loved especially the quizzes at the end of certain sections so I could easily test my knowledge and go back to any section that I feel I need to brush up on. The section on the SCHID's is my favorite!

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5 star rating

michele haynam

Thank you for this! I feel if I had taken this course 2 years ago I would haven been better at my job!!

Thank you for this! I feel if I had taken this course 2 years ago I would haven been better at my job!!

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5 star rating

Shane Bakovich

5 star rating

Very helpful

Melena Saddler

I am in the process of preparing for my exam on June 12th of 2017 and needed a refresher as I've been out of school about 4 years. The DSM 5 came out right a...

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I am in the process of preparing for my exam on June 12th of 2017 and needed a refresher as I've been out of school about 4 years. The DSM 5 came out right after I graduated therefore I wasn't familiar with the changes. This course allowed me to remember the differences between specific diagnoses while learning some new ones. I feel my confident deciding between plausible and differential diagnoses :)

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