Mostly helpful, was able to learn through their materials for the EPPP. A more condensed online set of reading material would have been better then all the books. The 4 day seminar was helpful as well. I passed the test with a score of 540, it was my sixth time taking it. Used several other study materials as well that were more condensed which helped as well (had to change materials because I was getting practice effects by taking the same 8 tests over, and over...) Thanks again for your help Renee! read more

So very disappointed with AATBS. After I paid the money for the testprep materials, I wanted to go on line and confirm that I was getting what I had paid for, and basically get an understanding of the differences between CA BBS MFT TESTPREP and TESTPRO. I mean, who would really know what this mean unless you work for AATBS, right? So I get on line, the clock starts and my three months is over before I know it. I call AATBS and state that I have only taken one exam but the time has run out due to me not being able to start my study process. I, of course called customer service and explained to them how I hadn't even started studying yet. The customer service lady was having none of it. She sated that I would need to pay 65$ more for one more month. I found this to be outrageous, and asked to talk to her supervisor. The supervisor had no mercy either. I will never recommend them. The three months they give you is not enough, and they are heartless. And if I'm going to pay somebody 500 bucks, I'd like to at least know that they have an understanding of fairness. Boo for AATBS. Go with GG. read more

I am an anxious test taker and knew I would need a study program. AATBS was super helpful in providing study strategies. The coaching was one of the best features. Kristen, my coach, was the best at helping me develop a plan, answer questions, ease my anxiety and celebrate passing in the end. I felt comfortable asking her any question and she was very down to earth and realistic. thank you! read more

AATBS is very unprofessional-their material was often contradictory. I was often put on hold for 20mins and messages were not returned. The customer service manager was rude and demeaning. read more

WARNING! Don't waste $500.00 prep package for the LPCC Law & Ethics Exam / Mental Health Exam, like I did. The bait included lies such as a guaranteed passing score on the test. The material is so lame and the instruction so unclear, it is shameful they are even listed on the BBS website. read more

I chose to start the AATBS program after failing the NCE (National Counselor Examination) twice. It was obvious that I needed to have some sort of study program. AATBS helped me in many different ways. It offered me multiple exams that were very accurate to what was on the exam. I was able to take those exams as many times as I wanted both in study and exam mode. Personally, I scored better on the exam mode. AATBS also offered me a coach that specialized in mental health. My coach was very helpful and supportive. She was attentive to my  needs and wants and provided me with a structured plan weekly. On top of those structured study plans, we always had a weekly check in phone call. She was also very supportive and always stated that if I ever needed to email or speak with her to never hesitate and reach out. I recommend this program for anyone who is struggling studying on their own and has failed their exam without utilizing AATBS. I also highly recommend utilizing your coach. If anyone is in the mental health field and going for their license, I would highly recommend Jacqueline Nienber. I couldn't have asked for a more dedicated coach. read more

STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY! they are rip off artists at best. I wish I could give it a zero star review but it's not possible and the one star goes to their consultant who was fantastic. The customer service is terrible. When you purchase additional exams be aware that they lock you out of added services once your subscription expires, but they don't note that on your receipt. Currently having to have my bank reimburse me because these rip off artists suddenly stop answering phones and prefer to take your money and run! read more

I spent hundreds of dollars with AATBS for the MFT clinical and law and ethics. If this review was only for law and ethics I would probably give AATBS 3 stars as I passed the test. Clinical on the other hand. I have read the books, practiced the exams multiple times, and purchased a final exam. Despite all of this, I failed the clinical exam twice with the second time having questions that looked more familiar on the Grossman 10 question sample than AATBS. I now will need to buy another test system since my tests expired. Please do yourself a favor and purchase for MFT from another vendor. read more

I purchased this program but i do not find it helpful. After using the program for a few weeks I became discouraged with the test questions and had to buy a new program bc the quality of this program is poor. read more

I failed the NCMHCE exam the first time I took it no thanks to aatbs. Their case examples are nothing like the exam. I found counselingexam.com to be much more like the exam and will hopefully pass my next go round. read more

I signed up for the Case Master Pro for LCSW (exam 2). For the first test I used Gerry Grossman Seminars and had a good experience. I passed the first time taking the test. I figured I'd go with AATBS this time around to try something different and because there was a discount code being offered. I regret my decision mainly because they only allow you to use the testbank for a limited amount of time like 3 months. If you need more time, then you have to pay more for an additional month or two months at a time. I have paid twice more to extend it and still it's not enough time. I get really busy at work and unfortunately cannot study every day. If they offered it for at least 6 months to a year then I could study whenever I have free time. I feel pressured more so to use the testbank than to take the test so I don't waste more money! I recommend that people go to Gerry Grossman just for the reason that you get the testbank for a full year or until you pass the test. AATBS seems like want to rip off already poor social workers. On a positive note, the customer service people sound nice and the test questions are challenging and make you think differently. I wonder if the actual test is as hard as the testbank. We'll see. read more

My coach, Kristen Wilkinson, is who MADE my whole experience with AATBS! I experience testing anxiety and decided to take the EPPP during a season of many personal changes. I connected with Kristen immediately over our mutual love of self-compassion research/intervention, and she was the absolute best form of support to have during my 6 month study process. She is knowledgeable, informed, down-to-earth, realistic, and earnestly helped me to create a study plan I could easily follow/believe in, which was crucial to helping me trust the whole process (grueling as it was). She kept me on track but was also a breath of fresh air, which helped me to feel grounded during the most difficult weeks of studying. She readily answered all my questions and gave me strategies that helped me go into the big day as confident as I could feel. Her help made it possible for me to pass on the 1st try!!! I couldn't recommend working with Kristen more. read more

DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PROGRAM FOR LCSW OR MFT EXAM The format they use for the clinical vignette is extremely confusing! It involves numbers and math! I ended up having to buy Grossmans because of it. AATBS refused to refund the clinical vignette portion of my purchase. Most of the times I have called for help the people aren't there or if they are they sound like they are on speed. They talk very fast and make no sense. Even their feedback form that I tried to submit after the standard exam that they emailed me does not work. Their CDs put me to sleep as it is sooo obvious the person is reading from a script and drones on and on. He even mispronounces clinical terms! Go with Grossman, it may be a little more expensive but its worth it or you will have to purchase both. read more

I am giving 2-stars because the Exam Prep for the CA MFT Law and Ethics Exam was excellent. I enjoyed the mindfulness/self-hypnosis audio and the clinical material was comprehensive and representative of what was included on the exam. Unfortunately, the CA MFT Clinical Exam is not as comprehensive, does not include similar audio, has add-ons that significantly raise the price, and is only offered by 6-month subscription. Any extension beyond 6-months costs money or requires the customer to have "completed" the course according to AATBS standard. For a working Associate MFT without a lot of time, not to mention factors outside of our control (wait times for BBS applications, personal life events, etc.) the 6-months may not be sufficient to utilize the program. I would recommend that unless AATBs reconsiders and updates their subscription policy for the Clinical Exam, that interested customers consider TDC - as their offer is just as comprehensive (if not more so) and is offered for 12 months. In addition, my experience with contacting AATBS for assistance or support with any issues meant that I would be on hold for 45 minutes just waiting to speak with a representative. Choose wisely! read more

Awful program, I took this for my MFT, getting very high scores on their tests, the adviser said that I'm ready to sit for the exam, I took the exam didn't pass. I was on their pass guaranteed program, did they refund the money? no. I used the same material didn't pass again, then I found therapist development center, great program, studies for a month and passed. read more

I just took the NCE and passed with a comfortable margin, after studying AATBS materials for 6 weeks. The materials were VERY comprehensive and went beyond what is needed for the exam, but knowing AATBS material helped me to pass comfortably. I almost postponed taking the exam because I was scoring in the 50s and 60s on the AATBS practice exams and was getting discouraged (as they guarantee passing at the 75% level). However, when I used the coaching feature and contacted AATBS - Jacqueline Nienaber gave me some confidence, that perhaps I could pass with my current practice test scores. In the final weeks I crammed, studying very hard and found that I was more than prepared when taking the exam. It was nice to feel confident when taking the exam because I was so familiar with the info. Pros - comprehensive books for studying all NCE content areas. Cons - the practice exams are the full 200 questions, which I did not enjoy taking over 3-4 hours (wish these were broken up). I also recommend taking all the free NCE practice exam questions available on the Internet to get an idea of other question formats. The other Con is the price. I think there are a lot cheaper options that cover the material. Best of luck to all - there is a LOT of material to cover... the secret is to be well prepared without over studying... read more

In 2012 having passed NCE, do not believe I could have been able to achieve this without the purchase of the AATBS products. Of recent, returned as customer to study for NCMHCE. It has been an extremely disappointing experience. Efforts begin October, 2017. Being EST (AATBS PST), considered this to have been reasons for inabilities to make contact, receive call backs. Finally sent email advising of my efforts to return as a customer, this time for the NCMHCE. Finally spoke with individual. Ordered etc. and when received study materials, I was not pleased to say the least. Very different, three very thin books that are basic; one would presume I were studying for graduate comprehensive exams. Since then, I was assigned a primary contact to assist in my "study package" which is to include phone consults and the such. I've made multiple phone calls since end-January. No responses. No voice messaging availability. Sent email: requesting provision of a good time to call them and cc: info@aatbs and asktheexperts@aatbs. This was a Saturday, so, it is ok I did not receive response until 'late' Monday. The professional who responded was not my 'assigned' contact person. They did not provide a time for me to call nor did they provide a direct phone number. Was advised that my primary contact (one assigned to help me throughout the study course, including the scheduling of phone consults, etc.; has taken leave; uncertain of return. It would have been professional for AATBS to send an email and/or call me to advise me of this. Much time and energy has been wasted. At present, the phone call 'games' continue. When calling the 800# gives option to hold for next representative or leave voice message. I choose wait for representative, no representative ever answers. Leave message. No response. Send email (repeat). Extremely disappointed. Am grateful for all feedback having read in these reviews: doubt will be additional and/or future purchases. Sad to say, however at this time I would not recommend AATBS. read more

I went through about sixty percent of the AATBS NCMHCE case studies then gave up, despite having paid a bundle for the test prep. I did so poorly, according to the provided "right" answers, that it was too disheartening to continue -- it left me feeling I had no ability to think the "right" way to pass the exam. I have been a practicing, and highly appreciated, therapist for twenty years. This may be part of the reason for my poor performance. A new counselor, thinking categorically, may grasp which factors could be considered -- from a conventional viewpoint -- irrelevant to a diagnosis or treatment plan. Knowing what the authorities consider irrelevant is unfortunately a major aspect of the NCMHCE. A well experienced therapist is likely to see almost everything as relevant. Frustrated repeatedly with AATBS's asserted wisdom, I would consult with their "expert" (Mr. Hori) via email. His explanations -- essentially justifications for AATBS's concrete and necessarily arbitrary thinking -- were absolutely useless, and basically circular. That is, he simply supported AATBS's delivered "right" responses with his own opinions. Other reviewers of AATBS have spun the extra difficulty of its test prep as a positive, by saying you are likely to do much worse on their test prep than on the actual NCMHCE. But if you don't know why you got something "wrong," time and time again, then the extra difficulty is simply destructive, not helpful. I consider AATBS to be poisonous. read more