How do you stay motivated when the journey to becoming a counselor takes longer than expected?

In this episode of NCE Success Stories, I sit down with Stefhanie Howe to discuss her path to passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE), the lessons she learned along the way, and the excitement of beginning the next chapter of her counseling career.

Stefhanie earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Mount Olive in 2023. After recently passing the NCE, she is now pursuing licensure in North Carolina and looks forward to building a career centered on compassionate, client-focused care. She also shares her growing interest in EMDR and how she hopes to incorporate trauma-informed approaches into her future practice.

In our conversation, Stefhanie shares:

• What inspired her to pursue a career in counseling

• Her experience preparing for the NCE

• The study habits and strategies that helped her succeed

• How she stayed motivated throughout the process

• Advice and encouragement for future counselors preparing for their own exam

Whether you're just beginning graduate school or counting down the days until your NCE, Stefhanie's story is a reminder that perseverance, preparation, and confidence can carry you across the finish line.

Ready to prepare for the NCE with confidence?

Learn more about the NCE Guaranteed Study Package:
https://pass.nceexamprep.com/guaranteedstudypackage

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another future counselor who could benefit from Stefhanie's story. Every success story has the power to encourage someone else on their journey to becoming a licensed counselor.

What does it take to go from graduate student to licensed counselor—and successfully pass the NCE along the way?

In this episode of NCE Success Stories, I sit down with Ashleigh, who shares her journey through graduate school, preparing for the National Counselor Examination (NCE), and taking the next steps in her counseling career.

Ashleigh is both a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. She earned her Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy with an additional concentration in Professional Counseling from Texas Wesleyan University in December 2025. Before that, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Studies from Baylor University.

In our conversation, Ashleigh discusses:

• Her path into the counseling profession

• What graduate school was really like

• How she approached studying for the NCE

• The strategies that helped her pass

• Advice for current counseling students preparing for their own exam

Whether you're in graduate school, getting ready to take the NCE, or simply looking for encouragement from someone who's recently been in your shoes, Ashleigh's story offers practical insights and motivation for the journey ahead.

Ready to prepare for the NCE with confidence?

Learn more about the NCE Guaranteed Study Package:
https://pass.nceexamprep.com/guaranteedstudypackage

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another future counselor who could benefit from hearing Ashleigh's story.

In this episode of NCE Success Stories, I sit down with Deb, who passed the National Counselor Examination (NCE) on June 11, 2026, to talk about her inspiring journey into the counseling profession.

Deb began her career as a paralegal in 1983 and spent 23 years working in the oil and gas industry. After earning a doctorate in organizational leadership, she made the remarkable decision to return to school at age 65 to pursue a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Along the way, she gained experience working with teens in a residential treatment center, served youth and unwed mothers at a therapeutic ranch, and now works as a case manager conducting assessments for a Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team.

In our conversation, Deb shares:

• Why she decided to change careers later in life

• The challenges and rewards of returning to graduate school

• How she prepared for and passed the NCE

• The study strategies that helped her succeed

• Encouragement for anyone who feels it's "too late" to pursue their calling

Whether you're preparing for the NCE or considering a career change of your own, Deb's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to pursue meaningful work.

Learn more about the NCE Guaranteed Study Package:
https://pass.nceexamprep.com/guaranteedstudypackage

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and share it with another future counselor who could use a little encouragement.