Journey To Licensure

In this episode of *Journey to Licensure*, Shara Ruffin sits down with Meghan Anderson, who recently passed her LCSW exam on the first try after years of hesitation. Meghan shares her journey from procrastination and exam anxiety to finally taking the plunge with the help of the *Journey to Licensure* five-week mastery course. She discusses the importance of structure, support, and mindset shifts in overcoming the challenges that come with preparing for the LCSW exam. Whether you're preparing for your licensing exam or looking for inspiration, Meghan’s story offers valuable insights and practical advice for social workers at every stage of the journey. Tune in for an uplifting and motivating conversation about conquering self-doubt and finding success.

In this episode of the Journey to Licensure Podcast, host Shara Ruffin sits down with Devin Hamilton, a newly licensed social worker who recently passed her Master's level licensing exam after a long and determined journey. Devin candidly shares her experience of facing the exam multiple times and the challenges she overcame along the way.

Through this insightful conversation, Devin opens up about how her anxiety and lack of structure initially held her back, and how seeking the right support changed everything. With the guidance of Shara and a tailored study plan, Devin found the motivation to stay organized, manage her anxiety, and ultimately succeed.

Whether you're preparing for your first attempt or have faced setbacks along the way, Devin’s journey is a testament to perseverance and self-belief. She offers encouraging advice to future social workers, emphasizing the importance of practice, resilience, and maintaining a positive mindset.

Tune in to hear Devin’s inspiring story and gain insights that can help you conquer your own licensing exam challenges. If Devin can do it, so can you!

In this episode, we dive into Maurice's inspiring journey toward passing the LMSW exam after multiple attempts. Host Shara Ruffin reflects on her years of guiding Maurice through the challenges of the licensing process, offering a candid and supportive conversation about perseverance, self-doubt, and the power of community. Maurice shares the ups and downs of his experience, including how anxiety affected his earlier attempts and how a shift in mindset and the use of affirmations helped him finally achieve success on his fifth try. This episode serves as a reminder that while the road to licensure may be difficult, it’s never impossible with determination and the right support system. Whether you’re preparing for your own social work exam or simply need a story of resilience, Maurice's journey will encourage you to keep pushing forward.

Tune in for real talk on overcoming obstacles, the importance of mindset, and the value of consistency in reaching your goals.

In this episode, Shara takes a deep dive into key social work exam questions, offering a step-by-step breakdown of practice scenarios to help you better understand the concepts behind them. Whether you're preparing for the bachelor's, master's, or clinical licensure exam, Shara's thorough analysis of ego defense mechanisms, behavioral interventions, and family therapy communication patterns will give you the tools to approach the test with confidence. Tune in for expert tips on how to tackle tricky questions, improve your critical thinking, and apply theory to practice. Let's turn those difficult questions into stepping stones for exam success!

In this inspiring episode of Journey to Enlightenment, Shara Ruffin sits down with Taylor Allen, a determined social worker who overcame ADHD, multiple exam attempts, and personal challenges to finally achieve her licensure. Taylor opens up about the sacrifices she made, the mindset shifts that helped her push through, and how embracing her unique learning style became the key to her success. Whether you're struggling with self-doubt, feeling stuck in your own journey, or simply looking for a boost of motivation, Taylor's story will remind you that resilience, self-prioritization, and perseverance are the keys to unlocking your potential. Tune in to hear how she turned barriers into stepping stones and found her way to success.

In this inspiring episode of Journey to Licensure, we dive into the incredible story of Shlonda Jones, a newly licensed master-level social worker from Philadelphia. After four attempts and battling severe test anxiety, Shlonda found the resilience and support she needed to succeed. Through her perseverance and personalized coaching with Shara Ruffin, Shlonda learned to stop second-guessing herself, break down exam questions with confidence, and ultimately pass her licensure exam. Tune in as she shares the lessons she learned, the mindset shift that fueled her success, and how failure became a stepping stone to fulfilling her purpose in social work. This episode is a must-listen for anyone needing motivation on their journey to licensure!

Join Shara Ruffin, CEO and Founder of Journey To Licensure, as she facilitates an engaging and dynamic live study session in a Clubhouse audio room, guiding social work colleagues through the complexities of ASWB exam questions. Whether you're preparing for your Bachelors, Masters, or Clinical social work licensure exam, this episode is packed with practical strategies and insightful breakdowns of real exam questions. Shara's holistic approach offers not only exam tips but also mindset coaching, helping you conquer anxiety and build confidence as you work toward your licensure goals. Tune in for expert advice and peer support on your journey to passing the ASWB exams!

Brandi's journey toward her social work license is a story of persistence, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing the power of support. After initially failing her exam in 2019 without any idea why, she waited two years before retaking it, only to miss the passing score by a mere seven points. This second failure deeply discouraged her, leaving her feeling uncertain about her future in social work.

However, Brandi decided not to give up. In April 2024, she found support through a TikTok live hosted by Shara Ruffin, a social work exam coach. Realizing she needed more personalized guidance, Brandi reached out for a consultation. At the time, she was grappling with debilitating test anxiety, unsure of how to manage her emotions during the exam process.

Through ongoing coaching sessions, Brandi's mindset slowly began to shift. With consistent support and accountability, she learned to manage her anxiety, reframe her negative thoughts, and build confidence in her abilities. By August 2024, after months of preparation, she successfully passed her LMSW exam.

Brandi's story highlights the importance of community, guidance, and belief in oneself. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the significant role mindset plays in achieving personal and professional goals. Now a licensed social worker, Brandi continues to inspire others with her story, reminding them that persistence and support are key to overcoming life's challenges.

Welcome to "Journey to Licensure, the podcast that empowers and inspires social workers on their path to professional success. Hosted by Shara Ruffin, Founder of Journey To Licensure, each episode features real-life stories from social workers who’ve faced the challenges of the licensure exam and emerged victorious.

From exam strategies and study tips to overcoming obstacles like burnout, self-doubt, and life’s unexpected twists, we tackle it all. Whether you’re preparing for the LMSW, LCSW, or any other social work exam, "Journey to Licensure" is here to guide you every step of the way, offering motivation, practical advice, and the encouragement you need to reach the finish line.

Vondra Harrell, LCSW, shared her remarkable journey to passing the clinical exam after multiple challenges and setbacks. Starting with her supervision, Vondra faced significant obstacles, including failing the exam several times and a major personal setback when her apartment caught fire. After taking a break from the exam, she reached out to Shara Ruffin for support. Despite several more attempts where she didn’t pass, Vondra persevered through self-doubt and feelings of defeat. She emphasized how much she struggled with negative thoughts, even questioning her abilities as a social worker.

After five unsuccessful attempts, Vondra finally passed her clinical exam on her sixth try. She credited Shara's consistent support, individualized study plans, and encouragement in helping her continue when she wanted to give up. Vondra’s message to others is clear: don’t let the test define you. Her resilience and perseverance paid off, and she now encourages others not to give up, emphasizing that with dedication and the right support, passing the exam is possible.