"Hi! My name is Mary Claire Schibelka, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor based in Chicago, IL and the owner of Cloud Nine Counseling PLLC. With a background in education, a 4.0 graduate GPA, and first-attempt passing scores on both the NCE and NCMHCE, I’m confident and passionate about helping future counselors pass their exams.

My tutoring approach combines content mastery with strategic test-taking techniques. After six years of providing National Counselor Exam (NCE) prep, I’ve developed a strong understanding of common question patterns and pitfalls. I specialize in counseling theories and applications, research and statistics, and group counseling, and I’ll teach you not just what to study, but how to decode tricky questions and choose the most correct answer when several seem right.

Most of my experience lies in working with Mometrix, NCEExamPrep, and Howard Rosenthal’s Master Lecture Series for the NCE, CPCE, CECE, and State Counseling Exams (the well-known “Orange Book”). I offer promo codes for discounted Mometrix and NCEExamPrep materials, as well as numerous free resources I’ve personally created to support your success.

Before becoming a counselor, I worked in special education, where I developed a deep appreciation for different learning styles and individualized instruction. That experience helps me tailor sessions to meet each student’s unique needs, whether you’re a visual learner, a test-anxious student, or someone returning to academics after time away.

Whether you’re taking the NCE, CPCE, or another counseling exam, I’m here to help you feel prepared, confident, and capable on test day. Together, we’ll turn challenging concepts into clear, memorable understanding and build the strategies you need to pass with pride." less...