MFT Exam Prep Reviews
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MFT Exam PrepI had originally spent way to much money on another study system which required a ton of memorizing and gave no help at all on how to actually study for, prepare for, and actually take the test. I felt doomed. I had been out of practice for nearly 4 years and my original Registration number was going to expire in a few short months, so it was now or never. I had already renewed it the most times allowed. I submitted my paperwork in July 2020, and my new supervisor suggested Therapist Development Center to me. I still felt my time was running low and starting back in practice after a four year break meant I had a lot of information to brush up on. TDC was so easy because they helped me lay out my exact plan and when I would study. I would listen to the post casts in my car and as I fell asleep every night. The information was sinking in. When I got to the First of the final mock exams I scored a 58. I was mortified! I had previously been scoring in the 70's and 80's. I reached out to the online coach and she got back to me right away. She assured me the final two mocks were very difficult. I made sure I had enough time to do the second mock and go through all of the rationales prior to my big day. The computers were down when I arrived for my test time and I didn't start till an hour after my appointment. They had given us a dry erase board to use during our test so I used that time to write down all the tips I had remembered Amanda telling us regarding taking this test. There were also some Dx criteria I wrote down that I know would be hard to remember if I was under stress. I wrote as much down as I felt I needed to and then I was ready to start. I followed all of Amanda's guidance on food, and taking a break etc. I finished with 5 minutes left even after taking my break and having some food (the clock is still running even though I stopped to eat), and I'm glad I did because I was recharged and ready to go. The final 15 questions were so hard because I was realizing I was almost DONE! My anxiety was high at this time. I just kept breathing and staying calm, and reading each stem word by word. Relieved was an understatement when the proctor handed me that piece of paper that said "Congratulations." I sat in my car and just cried for a few minutes, tears of joy, and happiness and relief. I know I never could have passed if it were not for these study materials. Thanks to this entire team for creating such an amazing course to help us achieve our goals of licensure! Also, I was able to go onto Breeze and input my info and upgrade my license and it was done instantly after paying with a credit card. I was licensed that very same moment!
If you're looking for a one stop shop for test prep, TDC is it. I passed the CA BBS MFT Clinical Exam on my first try because of TDC. The audio recordings were absolutely invaluable, especially for someone like me who has ADD and a difficult time focusing on tedious written material. Thank you, Amanda. The quick studies and the quizzes are also very helpful. The mock exams are BRUTAL but I guess that's the way it should be... as the actual exam is not easy. But I felt as prepared as I could be, because of TDC. The final pep talk was actually pretty key as well. Helped me with time management during the test... not spending too much time on any one question. Just picking the best answer and marking it to review at the end. Thank you again. Much, much appreciated. I would recommend Therapist Development Center to anyone.
The TDC program is fantastic. The study schedule is broken up into manageable chunks, like training for a marathon. I went through each segment of the program in sequence, including taking and then carefully reviewing all of the answers to the two full-length Mock exams at the end of the program. This was the highlight of the course - the two Mocks, and especially going over the rationales and understanding exactly what was appealing to me about the wrong answer and why the right answer was correct, prepared me to engage in the kind of reasoning that is required for the exam. And this is where the coaches were super helpful - if I read one of the rationales for the "correct" answer and still didn't understand something or thought that something seemed inconsistent or off, I would contact the coaches and they would get back to me within a day or two with an explanation that was always illuminating and helpful. I wasn't sure that I was prepared enough going into the exam, but as it got underway I felt more and more confident and it was clear that the work I did in this program was directly paying off. And I was so happy to see the "CONGRATULATIONS You have passed..." on the printout at the test center. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to rock the exam.
TDC successfully got me through both of the CA MFT Exams, as well as the MFT National Exam. Amanda's professional and academic expertise in the neurological processes involved in learning, and particularly in optimizing the test taking experience, helped to break down the study material into digestible bites that were easier to retain and recall in a testing environment. My experience of working with Amanda and her team in both of the MFT study programs was overwhelmingly positive and provided an organized and concise overview of counseling basics that not only helped me to effectively pass the exams, but also reinforced my knowledge of the foundations involved in being a competent counselor. As such, I utilize my notebook of quick studies and other TDC materials in my practice as a reference guide for case conceptualization and treatment planning. My advice to anyone looking for a study course on either of the MFT licensing exams is to take the TDC course and follow Amanda's learning and test-taking protocol precisely. You won't be sorry. I had spent a lot of money on another program and just felt overwhelmed by the material. Then I learned about TDC's program and signed up first for the CA Exams and later the National Exam. Amanda helped me to reduce my overwhelm and build confidence toward having a desirable outcome. To my knowledge, TDC is simply the best study course out there.
So, I finally passed, Thank you for your presentation of the testing I absolutely was not studying right.. Previously, I had purchased study material that was doing a bunch of test and the study material did not prepare me for going into the test. I am unsure I would have passed if I hadn't listened to the end "pep talk" I have had the worst case of test anxiety. The flow was really great I liked how the study material was laid out because it was exactly as the test goes when going in and the audio was great too. I kept wishing the theories were in done in the audio study guide because it really helped navigate the studying. Fun fact: my test was very dramatic and I was so bummed I figured there was no way to pass in the loud construction zone and I'd have retake because the testing site was super horrible. There was construction in the closet right on the other side of my desk! It was so loud that my ear plugs and a pair of ear phones over them did not drown out the noise nor stop the vibrations of the desk. I pushed to the end though and finished. I can't stress enough how important that break at question 100 is and getting some juice/fruit in your system-It was amazing how quick my brain came back online for the remainder of the test. I have recommended ya'll to four people now and two have already purchased.
I was surprised to learn that I had passed the exam due to not being able to sleep the night before as I struggle with test anxiety. Not only did I pass but I got a higher score than on any of the practice tests, a score to be proud of. So this is a true testament that the information presented is done in such a way that we truly absorb it and we are able to digest it such that you can perform even on little to no sleep. I went through the program diligently (twice) and took the practice exams the maximum times allowed. I have already recommended the class to all my cohort that is studying right now. In addition, there is significant knowledge in this course that will benefit me in my career moving forward. Thank you for taking the time to develop this course, I am very grateful.
I passed my Law and Ethics test on the first try using TDC and then passed my Clinical on the first try too! Traditionally I do not do well on multiple choice tests. Even in college I was a straight A student, but scored only a C when I took multiple choice tests. Using TDC made all the difference in the world. Not only did the course prepare me 100% for the tests, you taught me how to successfully take this multiple choice test and control my anxiety throughout the process. I cannot thank you enough for this course. I work Crisis so I don't use theories very often - my work day is filled with assessing people for 5150 criteria and working with emergency room physicians and psychiatrists, not conducting therapy. As you know I was very concerned about coming up to speed with all the theories to the level of passing the clinical exam. WOW! You covered the theories well, I must have listened to each audio a minimum of 8 times and then your tutoring helped me organize myself to actually learn the theories and not just memorize words. Thank you so much. I highly recommend your program.
The road has been long for me, I am not a great test taker in general. I failed the Law and Ethics 2 times using another program, which left me with a lot more anxiety getting prepared the next time around. I went with TDC due to recommendations from others in the clinic I was at. I was surprised on the holistic approach of preparing for these exams; coaching on how to think, self-care during the study process and a guarantee to stick with you until you pass! I really enjoyed the ability to listen to the lectures on the go; as I would just stream the content from my phone sitting in traffic, taking walks, which really helped with balancing other time commitments. The mock exams and rationales were very well put together and prepare you more than enough for the actual exam. Since using the TDC program, I passed both exams, Law and Ethics (3rd attempt,1st with TDC) and the Clinical on my 1st attempt. Really owe it all to TDC and its true, you really do 'hear' Amanda's voice reading the question stem during the actual exam. Thanks TDC!
TDC is truly amazing! I used the program for both my L&E and clinical exam. As a person who have always had issues with comprehension, TDC helped me with reading strategies on the day of the exam. TDC moc exams were actually harder than the exam. I was initially frustrated because i failed the exam twice. I was confused because the program made me so confident with the material. I thought to myself, I know all of this stuff what the heck!!! The third time taking the exam I had no anxiety. I thought to myself lets have fun in the same way I had fun learning! I enjoyed diagnosing, the law vs ethics quizzes and crisis. So I sat down and said this exam does not define me lets have some fun. With that mindset everything was so clear. Reading word for word I was able to clearly see what the questions were asking of me. Thank you TDC staying with me until I passed!!
I want to say thank you to the TDC family. I PASSED with the TDC study program! This was my second attempt at the exam. The first time I took the exam, I used the AATBS study program and failed. I will admit that I adapted the material to my own way of studying and that may have contributed to my failure. This time I decided to follow the TDC program to the letter. I am so thankful for this program because it taught me how to pass the exam, not just memorize the material. That’s what made the difference for me, leaning how the read the questions and think with my therapist hat on. The most significant skill I leaned from TDC was to read carefully and rule out questions that don’t fit! I’m so happy to be done and forever grateful for TDC because I don’t believe I would have passed without it!!!
I am still in “SHOCK,” that I passed the Law and Ethic Exam by using the TDC program. After the fourth fail my colleagues told me that I needed to try the TDC program, and at that point I had nothing to lose. I did buy the TDC program. The TDC program was the best purchase I received. The other program for the Law and Ethics I brought did not help with me. I tried to pass the Law & Ethics exam 4 times, which I failed miserably. I tried to study on my own and failed for a fifth time. I'm so happy I passed with TDC. A lot of the questions when I took the exam the the last time were covered in the TDC program. The audio was very helpful, which I learned a lot from. The TDC program help achieve my main goal moving forward to get fully licensed. Next for me is to take the MFT clinical exam. I will continue to study by using the TDC. Thanks you so so much for having this program. I will continue to use it and share with others my story as well.
I did it! I passed! On the first attempt I passed the MFT Clinical Exam and due in a huge part to the TDC program and team. In one short year I passed the MFT Law & Ethics Exam (thanks to TDC), battled and won against cancer (major surgery, successful) and survived the 4 grueling hours of a stressful exam. Anyone taking this course has a huge advantage. If I can do it anyone can. I read so slowly and struggled to adhere to the suggested time frame. After question 144 questions I had only 12 min left. I skimmed the last questions looking for key terms (what would an existential therapist do...), then grabbed at the answer that included the word(s): anxiety, choice, responsibility, freedom, etc. OMG it was terrifying not knowing... When you hear Amanda or Robin say, “be ok with uncertainty” trust and believe they know. The test is hard. This program rocks! I would be glad to share more of my experience or assist in other ways. Thank you all.
This has been a LONG journey! I am so grateful for this program! A few days before the exam, I experienced tremendous anxiety and doubt, which was such an anomaly because throughout the studying I remained GODfident and continued believing that I was passing. My anxiety went through the roof when I got a 50% on one of the four hour Final Mocks. I tried taking the 2nd Final Mock and was unable to finish it (so, yes I completely bombed it!). All of that... BUT GOD! I sensed that I needed to put down my study materials, do some self care, which for me involves praying and exercising. I exercised the day of the test, mediated on the love of my good good Father. I felt God's presence in such a tangible way I knew I was going to pass! During the test, I took my 5 minute break at question 91, drank my juice and trail mix. I actually finished the test in 3 hours! God is good! Honestly, the test was easier than the actual tests provided by TDC. TDC helped to overprepare me for this test and I am so grateful. I passed this test on the first time! Praise the Lord! Thank you Lord for such an amazing company like TDC who is committed to preparing and helping license eligible people navigate such a difficult and even stressful process!
I have been continually impressed by TDC, a study support/resource which aptly prepared me for the Law & Ethics exam, and now, more recently, for the MFT licensing exam. I was prepared for the psychological aspects of the exam, i.e. the external and internal anxieties, to the extent that I did not actually feel anxious as predicted or have the feeling that I was failing. I was inspired by the recommendation that we go into the starting position of the exam with an “aggressive” and positive, present-centered attitude. My acceptance of a potential uncomfortable feeling “that I was failing” turned out to be a sort of Strategic paradoxical intervention. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at question 100 and had more time remaining than I did on any of the mock exams. I felt prepared to eliminate obvious “rule outs” and narrow down the choices so that I was looking closely at the stem of the question and noticing what was a stand out answer. Everything that was recommended and reviewed was pertinent. I believe what I enjoyed most about the study process was the recommended use of imagery, i.e. seeing the client(s) in the office, and my increased awareness that I am a part of a craft where lines are often grey and flexible, less the concrete laws and ethical standards. I feel fortunate to have had such an organized study resource available to me; more so, I felt the support of a coaching crew who inspired the integrity of my discipline and study habits.
TDC was the best investment I could have made to help me pass the law and ethics and clinical exams the first go around. The program truly teaches you to think correctly and manage anxiety- the two things most needed to pass, not so much memorization. Amanda is an incredibly gifted clinician and teacher and I will always be thankful for how her way of explaining things clicked with me. Thank you also to Robin who answered all of my many emails. This test is difficult and feels surreal but the mocks are the best preparation, even more so than just memorizing things. For some reason it did feel like I was failing but yet there’s also this underlying confidence I had that I would not ultimately fail because I knew this stuff! The law and ethics portions were a breeze since I still remembered the material from that course a while back, that shows that the way Amanda teaches actually sticks. I feel this experience has grown my confidence tremendously as a LMFT!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Follow this program and advice given. It works! I gave myself 6 weeks to study and went through the program twice. I felt very prepared for the test. I would read the test question first (before the long stem) and identify what category of question it was. For example, this is a termination question, this is a legal question, this is a DSM question, etc... to orient me before I read the longer stem. This was extremely helpful and kept me from wasting time getting bogged down in a longer question stem or confusing myself in the details. I finished the test with about 20 minutes to review marked questions and only changed answers if I had an AHA moment. I took 2 breaks. The test center on Hawaiʻi Island would not allow you to eat anything or bring drinks, so I only had water from their water fountain. You could only take a 5 minute or less break for each break. (So check the rules of your specific PSI test center). Asya was a fabulous coach! She was encouraging and answered all my email questions quickly and I never felt like I was asking too many questions. I really wanted to understand why I got questions wrong on the practice tests. I passed with 80%. The only thing I didnʻt do for preparation, which I wish I would have done, was exercise. I pushed myself pretty hard and it would have been good to get out and go for walks during my breaks.
I started this journey while working 2 jobs, having a daughter enter Residential treatment and an ailing Mother. I probably rescheduled this exam 10 times in 10 months, just did not seem to be scoring on the Mocks. You were awesome letting me extend dates along the way. Time was creeping closer to the year deadline, I had to just go for it. I can recite Amanda's dialogue verbatim on many topics. My Mother passed away on Saturday, I took the beast on Monday. I wrote "MOM" with a heart on my scratch paper. I know I passed because of her because as you state, "you will feel like you are failing". I was up to #45 and could not feel like I had ANY of them correct. I took about a 4 minute break at #85, banana, mineral water, sprint to the restroom. Sat back down, while doing the math for 4 months when I would be back for another attempt. I did not mark any questions. Just moved forward. Finished while the clock ticked down from 1 minute. Walked slowly to the front desk, got my stuff out of the locker with a sigh. The "robotic tech guy" printed out the results........I saw the word PASS then the word CONGRATULATIONS. I gasped, I asked Robot guy, "Is there anyone still in there testing?". He said yes, so I picked up my jacket and screamed into it, a muffled scream of pure relief and joy! I shared that my Mom had passed away and this is all I wanted to see. No response from Mr. Robot. Of course I realize later that they may be coached to be flat-line emotionally so that people who don't pass see any big smiles or high fives from the staff. It is done.... I passed. Thank you very much.
This test has definitely been a journey. Because of life circumstances I was only taking this test once a year during the summer time. I did not want to go another summer without passing. As I was taking the test I truly felt like I was failing it the whole way through. I had to wait for a while to get my results as the testing centers printer was on the frtiz, so as I waited which seemed like forever. I was thinking "now I have to sit here and wait to be told I failed yet again." My thought process was like "well I'll just come back in November." I should point out that as I was taking the test, I was thinking I'd be back in November. Then she handed me the paper that said CONGRATULATIONS! I had no emotion and said I can't believe it says this. I studied before as I did this time, but what changed is that I did not have any anxiety about the test. I took my break (had a banana and water at question 90), I was mindful of my time, and if I didn't know the answer I marked the best one and moved on quickly. This program was a Godsend! It truly packs everything together concretely with the knowledge that I needed to pass. I want to say that some of practice questions looked almost identical so some of the questions on the exam. Thank You TDC, and Thank You Jesus... I passed- Amen!
Thank you so very much TDC!!! This is my 2nd attempt at the California Clinical Exam. I used a different review course and walked out of the 1st attempt thinking, "that was not the exam I studied for." I knew there was a missing piece to my exam preparation. When I found TDC by accident I knew it was what I needed to prepare. Thank Goodness I found TDC!!! I read the testimonials and knew it was important to follow the course outline step by step. I took the first final mock and scored a 54. I ran past the 4 hours and rushed to finish in the allotted time. I reached out to Asya and she gave me some fantastic coaching!!!
My quiz scores were 68/83. My mock scores were 71/62/71. I did not take mock test II. I reviewed the rationals after mock I, feeling quite defeated. I meditated and realized I needed to "commit." I kept my original test date and passed!!! I have been out of school for 20 years and am coming from Texas with an LPC license. This was the hardest exam I have ever had including getting my MBA. Thank you Amanda and Asya!!! Bring your juice and piece of fruit/fruit roll up for a break! It worked Thank you so much TDC!!!
Fantastic program! The structure was invaluable to maintaining balance in my life, helping me to consistently run through the program reviewing everything we learned becoming therapists, after long days of being a therapist. I ran through it one time, 7 weeks, and took a 3-week break due to personal needs; even with the break, I was able to peruse Quick studies and review parts I felt less strong on (based on self-evaluation from the Mock exams) in just the week prior to my test, and I still passed! The way it was organized helped me move through the concepts easily, and as a result of studying and taking a day off and then studying again, I started to see things play out at work that I was studying, helping integrate the concepts I needed to know and making the studying feel concrete. It also alleviated much of the anxiety about "being a good clinician;" we all know that's not what this exam is testing, but the anxiety is real anyway. Thank you to Amanda and the TDC team for such a comprehensive, easy to use, and thorough study experience. Yay!