Welcome to The Mindful EPPP Journey and Beyond Podcast, where we explore the "ganas" (grit) needed to become a Licensed Psychologist. The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a national exam assessing clinicians’ readiness for independent practice and is a final step toward licensure.

Unfortunately, many—especially BIPOC clinicians—face disproportionate challenges. Despite earning doctoral degrees and having experience, many remain stuck in “unlicensed limbo.” For some, repeated failures lead to abandoning their dreams.

I was one of them. It took me three years and five attempts (and thousands of dollars!) to finally pass the EPPP. That’s why I embrace the identity of being an Exceptional Psychologist Purposefully Persisting (EPPP).

Join me, Dr. Cheli (Araceli López-Arenas, PhD, MPH), and our community as we share EPPP journeys (qualitative data), navigate “unlicensed limbo,” and tackle Academic PTSD with humor, self-compassion, and the occasional F-bomb.