MFT Exam Prep Reviews

I used both ATTBS and Gerry Grossman study programs, including the workshops and failed the first MFT exam 2 times.  I was so overwhelmed by all of the books, tapes, flash cards, and tests that I had even re-arranged my dining room into a study area for it all to fit!  The dining table was covered with material!! I felt completely defeated, with the thought I was never going to pass!  Amanda Rowan's name was given to me by my supervisor, mentioning she had a friend who had been having a difficult time  passing the exams too.  I live in Sacramento and looked her name up in the phone book, then online.  I had no idea the Therapist Development Center existed! I was amazed the minute I paid for the written MFT exam material, it was instantly available on-line.  I cannot say enough about how this program improved my self-confidence and how simple it was!  Very specific directions and for me the perfect solution. I had aha moments immediately and it was hard to stop studying!!  I was enjoying it! I passed the written MFT exam the first time and  I couldn't wait to begin the MFT clinical vignette program.  I passed that exam on my  first attempt!!! The TDC's presentation of all the material is down to earth and I felt they were in the room with me!  They incorporated humor, authenticity  and expertise throughout!  Such a pleasure to have worked with them!  I cannot say enough positive stuff about the Therapist Development Center!!!  

Words cannot fully express the depth of my gratitude and appreciation to have found Amanda Rowan, LCSW, and the Therapist Development Center for the California State MFT and Social Work licensing exams.

The TDC's approach for me was “the least amount of stress with the greatest amount of efficiency possible.” Of course one still has to apply oneself and do the work, but they have a gift for streamlining it. When I studied with them my confidence level was genuinely boosted, unlike when I studied with other test prep companies, where the task was made to seem overly burdensome, and at times not relevant to the goal of passing these exams. That this is a field where on-going education is necessary and will be continuously required, goes without saying. Amanda is one of those “naturally gifted teachers” where the material seems to make sense and to be “highly accessible” in the way she organizes and breaks it down.  She brings a deep understanding of the “style” of the exam, based on how the BBS views it, and helps students focus on areas that are relevant and more likely to be tested, in her estimation.

The TDC reviews the theories and differential diagnoses in a way that is very manageable, and covers the most important highlights. They saved me an enormous amount of stress and energy on both exams through their effective methods and efficient, common sense strategies and techniques. I found the TDC to be nothing short of “brilliant” as a trusted and knowledgeable colleague with whom I was fortunate enough to study for these exams in an “on-demand” way that accommodated my personal schedule.

In the sample vignettes and mock exams, they do not simply give the correct answers/answer sets, or rationales, but talks and walks candidates through the thought processes and reasoning for how they arrived at those answers and why the other answers/answer sets were not correct. I found great comfort in hearing Amanda's voice, as if she was my personal test prep coach, right there helping me and believing in me at the same time. Through this training, I found myself beginning to think like her, to hear her voice and thought processes in my head, which was enormously helpful for both exams.
The TDC's belief and confidence in their test prep candidates was nothing short of refreshing. Their respect for the education and clinical experience their candidates bring, and for their time, energy, and available resources to prepare for these exams was a lifesaver. In addition, the TDC's prices are extremely fair and reasonable.

For the first exam, the “Top 50” areas were enormously helpful, and for the second exam, the frames kept my focus on the exact question being asked each time. The TDC has a gift of giving “not too much” and “not too little” but very much what is needed to do well on the exams.

I recommend the Therapist Development Center's work very highly and without reservation to colleagues, if one is dedicated and also willing to do one’s part in the test prep process. Again Amanda is a naturally gifted teacher, excellent communicator and strategist, and truly cares that her students are well prepared and do well on their licensing exams.

Thank you so much Amanda and TDC. What a gift it was to study with you, to feel confident, and to pass both MFT exams the first time. Kudos to you!!! I am so thankful you decided to do this work, and also that the timing worked so well with my path. Thank you so much again!!! I am extremely happy and grateful, with your help, to be a newly licensed Marriage and Family Therapist!!!

The TDC provides structured and organized guidance for interns preparing for the MFT and LCSW licensure exams. I found the TDC to be helpful and clear in their approach to coaching me in the exam prep process.

Everyone I know who has used the Therapist Development Center (TDC) has passed & sensed they were doing so during the exams. What this says is that the tests are more straightforward than the big companies (Aatabs; Gerry Grossman, & Berkeley Training Associates) lead us to believe. Knowing this, I don’t advise going in cold, due to the six-month wait & re-testing fees, but I would choose a company that streamlines materials to the exams, enjoys a 95%+ pass rate, costs less, delivers more, & is dedicated to helping interns: A company with smarts & heart, like the TDC. Excellent beginning clinicians fail these exams as often as struggling ones, leading to more sales, like expensive coaching & company-induced anxiety management tools. While anxiety management is crucial, I suggest that interns’ first tune in & listen to such, as it may well be warning you that the big prep companies are not on your side: They mislead interns’ with conflicting rationales, impose material not being tested, blame their own inconsistencies on the BBS, & waste everyone’s time, money & energy. While my experience with Aatabs & GG felt traumatizing, finding & working with the TDC was truly as breath of fresh air. You can trust the TDC, which is a rare & wonderful gift, within a field that consistently exploits interns.