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?

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