Submit your own success story by emailing Dr. Helwig at

I just wanted to let you know that I just took the NCE last Wednesday (4-20-11) and PASSED!! This was my second time taking the test. I used your dvd's and read through your study guide. I graduated in 2005 so you can imagine how long this has been a burden for me. I tried numerous study materials including Rosenthal (which was incredibly overwhelming, if I might add) but they were not nearly as good as your information (money well spent!!).

I want to specifically thank you for the time and energy that you have devoted into getting us counselors to pass the NCE!! What great work you do (along with your many other achievements)!!

---Jennifer from Louisiana

Thank you so much for your hard work at creating an excellent study guide for the NCE. I just took it in Tacoma and passed! I am not filling out the form, but am giving you the following feedback. I rated your materials very helpful all the way down the instrument.

You have been with me constantly for weeks. Your guide was the only one I used. I am a 59 year old master's level therapist, in private practice. The other person who took the exam studied Rosenthal. When I left she was still working at it.

Thanks a million!

---Maureen from Washington

Dear Professor Helwig --

Just wanted to let you know that I've used your STUDY GUIDE and passed the NCE last Saturday (with a score of 133/160). I bought your book and DVD set last fall to prepare for my school comps. I did well on those, too.

For me, the best part of your system is being able to use the DVDs to "ease into" study. Sometimes picking up a book is a really big deal, but sitting down to watch your video presentation made it easier to begin studying.

I'd also say that your presentation of material in the Appraisal and Research sections is wonderful -- clear and very easy to understand. Suddenly things that never made sense to me when I took the classes in school were very very clear. I'm now convinced that my professors in school didn't understand the material well enough themselves to be able to present it in an understandable manner. And your test taking tips are also extremely helpful.

For the record, I also used Howard Rosenthal's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COUNSELING in preparing for the exam. The combination of the two systems is unbeatable. I like the repetition of information in his material.

I have recommended your book and DVDs to others and will continue to do so.

---Karen of Missouri

Thanks, I really found your Guide easy to use, an invaluable tool. It has been six years since I finished my counselor’s study. Without this, it would have been impossible to pass the test. Thanks A LOT!

---John in Wisconsin

The only material I used for my NCE study was your Study Guide and I greatly benefited from your Study/Test Taking Hints/Tips section. Other significantly helpful tips were: Pick a letter and stick with it throughout the entire test when guessing; Beware of questions using, 'always, never, sometimes': I am not being asked for the right answer, I am being asked for the best answer of those being offered to me. I will highly recommend your NCE Review Course and Study Guide.

---Roseanne in Nebraska

I took the NCE on 7/19/08 and am very happy to say that I passed with flying colors. My score was 136 and I credit your study guide with helping me immensely. Thanks for providing such excellent study material.

---Deborah in Colorado

Examples and language especially clear in explanation of research tools very helpful.

---Loretta of Maryland

I just received my comprehensive exam results this morning, and couldn’t wait to tell you that I received a passing score!!! Your incredible Study Guide is the benchmark for preparation for these exams, invaluable, and so well done. I used it exclusively for my own preparation, then used a few more questions from another book to further utilize my Study Guide knowledge, during the last week of preparation.

---Stephanie of Colorado

Thank you so much for writing this book. It really helped prepare me. I really love how the book is concise and easy to read. Again, thank you.

---anonymous of North Carolina

All of the previous students in our program suggested your study guide for the NCE. My friends and I used it and all passed! Thank you!

---Kendall of Missouri

NCE Workshop DVDs and 'Live' Workshops

I just graduated from Denver Seminary, and I took the NCE at our campus April 17 (2011). I took your workshop this spring and used your manual as my only study aid. Praise God, I passed the exam (passing grade 95, my score 128). As you asked for feedback for your new study guide, I just wanted to let you know that the questions on the exam were WAY shorter than in the mock test in the manual. Very small questions, but the manual obviously was of great help for me. Thank you for your help!

---Simone from Colorado

I am writing this email to inform you of my PASSING!!! Grade on the N.C.E. I took yesterday afternoon. I went in with a quiet calmness and confidence. Further, I was relaxed as one could hope to be and took the test with patience and focus. Your study guide was very helpful and help build a great base foundation for my preparation. I also used the other resources you suggested: The NBCC Prep Guide and The Encyclopedia of Counseling from Rosenthal. Your study guide along with the DVDs allowed me to feel I was in the classroom with you. I reviewed them twice and the other resources I used to fill in the middle.

I have only one criticism of your DVDs, not your study guide, and that is you should have added a 4th one. On the last DVD you covered very quickly the Human Growth, Social/Cultural, and Helping Relationships. I did go back over them with the study guide, but the way and the time you spent on the first two DVDs was awesome. You are truly a good teacher! I finally understood Research and Evaluation with clarity for the first time. I wish you had spent that kind of time on the last 30 minutes of the 3rd DVD and just made it into a 4th DVD.

I again want to thank you for making your study guide and DVDs available. Your instruction and tips for test taking and studying were excellent as well. I 100% recommend your study guide and DVDs as the resource to use for taking the N.C.E.!

---Wallace of Tennessee

I passed the NCE exam in October, 2010, and I have now bequeathed my study guide to one of my fellow classmates! I used your study guide exclusively and took copious notes throughout the program (workshop) that were a big help. While I wish that I had decided to take the exam earlier than August, I did try to devote as much time to it as any class I was taking.

---Mary of Mississippi

Workshop and study were worth my money!! Preferred Helwig over Rosenthal. Helwig's guide was straightforward and organized (and direct). Rosenthal is too wordy for me (and not amusing). Workshop was very helpful -- going through practice exams & finding the answers in the study guide during the workshop was a great way to study. One thing – felt like I had studied “wrong” because CPCE tested very specific concepts. Overall, Study Guide has been the most helpful tool in my preparation for the CPCE/NCE! Thank you!!

---Jessica of Colorado

I found your DVD w/Study Guide to be very helpful. I got my degree in 1981. I was worried that your materials would not be enough. I did look at some other references to clarify some points. I would recommend your Study Guide especially with the DVDs to anyone - - even if they have been out of school for awhile.

---Nancy in Colorado

I did not think I would have passed without this workshop and material. It had been nearly 20 years since I got my degree in counseling psychology.

---Rosemary in Texas

Your class was all I really needed to pass. The version I took seemed more simplistic. Your test was more thought-provoking.

---Joel of Colorado

My only preparation for the exam was in attending your seminar and studying from the Study Guide for 2 months prior to the exam. It was enough to prepare for passing on my first try. Thank you!

---Anonymous from Minnesota

This was the main source of study for me along with another book that you suggested, and in addition to watching your DVD. I took the exam 4 months after graduation from a Non-CACREP program, passing with 20 points to spare (the cut off was 99, I got 119). Thought I’d let you know. Thanks for the great study advice and review!!

---Shawna of Colorado

Had I not taken your review course, I would be writing a very different note. You were right on the money. I remember thinking in the beginning this is easier than the sample test, I know its going to get harder! Again thank you for taking your time and energy to do the review course, it has saved many of us!

---Debra in Kansas

I felt that your workshop was so worthwhile. Much of the material you covered had left my memory bank. I especially appreciated the more thorough coverage of Appraisal and Research and Evaluation. Your style combines articulate and impressive instruction with a warm and approachable personality. The best payoff for me is that I know what I need to study and I am far less anxious about having to take the exam.

---Mary in Minnesota

Overall, I still felt that your workshop and study guide was very helpful and would highly recommend it to other students. As for the test itself, I think it is pure evil!

---Rob in Michigan