Ganas & Go

Ganas & Go "Ganas" or "tener ganas" means having desire or urge to do something. ¿De que tienes ganas? Let's discuss your goals and get you on a plan of action!

27/07/2025

The Gate is Not Neutral: Calling Out Systems, Reclaiming Our Power, & Calling In Community
The Mindful EPPP Journey & Beyond Podcast explores the "ganas" behind becoming a Licensed Psychologist.
⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains a brief discussion of suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.).
Today, we have a wonderful guest, Dr. Samara Cerven, who courageously shares her journey of passing the EPPP on her 6th attempt. She has a rollercoaster of a story and is one of my favorite people to have worked with.
Dr. Samara Cerven is a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly 13 years of experience in the mental health field. She currently works in a group private practice in Midtown Manhattan, where she works with clients across the lifespan but holds a special place in her heart (and toolkit) for children and trauma work. She’s drawn to the honesty, creativity, and complexity that kids bring into the therapy space, and is deeply attuned to the ways trauma impacts individuals, families, and communities.
Her career began in community-based settings, including FQHCs, advocacy centers, and nonprofit mental health clinics — work that grounded her in a lifelong commitment to empathy, accessibility, and advocacy.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Cerven teaches undergraduate courses in Child & Adolescent Psychology and Abnormal Psychology, where she brings the same real-world honesty, compassion, and humor that define her therapeutic approach.
She believes healing is full of twists, choice is quiet strength, and laughter is its own kind of therapy.
Join us on Sunday, July 26, 2025 at 10:30am PST to hear her journey where we discuss gatekeeping, calling out systems, reclaiming our power, and calling in community!
Join us LIVE where you can engage with us and join in the conversation via chat.
If you are unable to make it live, you can catch the replay on YouTube Live or on my website.
https://www.youtube.com/

https://www.mindfulepppjourney.com/blog

mindfulepppjourney

Today, I wanted to share with you my EPPP anniversary. Or as members of my BIPOC accountability group say, my "EPPP Pass...
11/06/2025

Today, I wanted to share with you my EPPP anniversary. Or as members of my BIPOC accountability group say, my "EPPP Pass-a-versary!" (TM)
I can't believe it's been 4 years since I passed and now am a Licensed Psychologist. What a journey!
I don’t remember my graduation date or defense date or my anniversary with my partner, but I sure as hell remember this day for the rest of my life!! 💪🏽✊🏽🥳🤣
Today, I celebrated with family as they were an integral part of this journey. Through the tears, the fears, the anger, resentment, and hopelessness, to the resilience, perseverance, ganas, and post-traumatic growth. Today was a celebration for us all. They also went through a lot with me.
I vividly remember the proctor handing me the single sheet of paper and the tears running down my face while saying, "You don't know how much I've worked so hard for this. It's been suuuuch a journey!!" Even they cried.
I was at this since 2017 with an unsuccessful attempt in 2018 (423), two in 2019 (480, 490), and October 2020 during the pandemic (480). I finally passed on June 10, 2021 with a 511. I was unemployed, underemployed, and had a lot of life happen during this journey. Now, I help others pass this dreadful exam. Through this pain and sorrow, I found my life's mission. To help other license-eligible clinicians pass the EPPP and increase the number of licensed psychologists, particularly BIPOCs and ADHDers so that we can address the mental health needs of the world. Because ya'll, the world is on fire and we are gravely needed. I do this with joy, humor, and with advocacy.
I hope this post gives you a little hope and inspiration to keep going if you're still on the journey. And if you've passed, congratulations and please let me know if you'd like to share your story on my podcast.
Please remember, "It always seems impossible until it's done." --Nelson Mandela
Keep at it my dear colleague friends. As I always say, I know you will pass. I just don't know when. But trust me that you are capable of passing this exam. If I did it, you sure can too.
In solidarity, 💪🏽✊🏽
Dr. Cheli (Licensed Psychologist and EPPP Coach)
https://www.mindfulepppjourney.com/

01/04/2023

The Mindful EPPP Journey & Beyond Podcast: Dr. Jen Mandigo’s Journey
The Mindful EPPP Journey & Beyond Podcast explores the "ganas" behind becoming a Licensed Psychologist.
Today we have a very special guest Dr. Jen Mandigo, who daringly shares her EPPP journey in the hopes of inspiring others to continue to persist in obtaining their psychologist license despite any adverse impact that they may face in their journey.
Dr. Jen Mandigo completed her doctorate in clinical psychology from George Fox University in Oregon in 2010. She completed her postdoc in Boise, Idaho and worked as a staff psychologist for the department of corrections in Seattle for several years before moving to Arizona in 2018 where she currently works as the clinical services manager for the county superior court.
Dr. Mandigo wants to share her story as someone who took the EPPP four times over a period of 11 years before finally passing in February 2023.
Join us today, Saturday, April 1st, 2023 at 2:30pm PST to hear Dr. Jen’s journey of resilience in passing the EPPP!
Join us live and if you would like to engage with us, please visit the following link to grant permission to see your name on StreamYard https://streamyard.com/facebook
If you are unable to make it live, you can catch the replay at https://www.mindfulepppjourney.com/eppp-podcast
mindfulepppjourney

25/02/2023

The Mindful EPPP Journey & Beyond Podcast: Dr. Kulsoom Malik’s Journey

Four Strikes & You’re Out! How the EPPP Ended a Career

The Mindful EPPP Journey & Beyond Podcast explores the "ganas" behind becoming a Licensed Psychologist.

Today we have a very special guest Dr. Kulsoom Malik, who daringly shares her experience with failing the EPPP on her fourth attempt, and whose career as a licensed psychologist ended with a 485!

Dr. Kulsoom Malik completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Birmingham, UK. She worked as a registered Psychologist in the UK for 10 years before moving
to Canada in September 2019 with her husband and 3 children (all under the age of 6).

She attempted the EPPP four times but she was sadly unable to get a passing mark. Her last score was 485. The college that she was registered with did not allow her to sit for the EPPP more than 4 times and her license was canceled.

Dr. Kulsoom is now working as a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario and runs her own private practice but she is not allowed to use her Dr title or give a diagnosis.

Dr. Kulsoom wants to share her story as someone who has essentially had her career ended due to trying to sit for the EPPP during the pandemic.

Join us Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 2:30pm PST to hear Dr. Kulsoom’s journey of the EPPP striking her out and ending her career as a licenced psychologist and how she is a fighter and is getting back on the ring!

Join us live and if you would like to engage with us, please visit the following link to grant permission to see your name on StreamYard https://streamyard.com/facebook

If you are unable to make it live, you can catch the replay at https://www.mindfulepppjourney.com/eppp-podcast

mindfulepppjourney

19/02/2023

The Mindful EPPP Journey & Beyond Podcast: Dr. Erica Ligons' Journey

The Mindful EPPP Journey & Beyond Podcast explores the "ganas" behind becoming a Licensed Psychologist.

Today, we have a wonderful guest, Dr. Erica Ligons, who shares her journey in passing the EPPP on her first attempt! We will also discuss our experiences in helping people pass the EPPP from “coach to coach.”

Dr. Erica Ligons is a licensed clinical psychologist with 7+ years of experience who owns and operates a solo private practice.

Dr. Erica specializes in working with adults and children with depression, anxiety, ADHD, school and behavioral concerns, complex trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. She is fluent in Spanish and can provide therapy services in Spanish for those who prefer a bilingual therapist. Along with training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, she is also trained in Psychodrama & Sociometry.

Dr. Erica also uses her training in Sociometry to conduct team-building seminars for educators and clinicians. She utilizes sociometric theory to help various organizations and companies improve relational dynamics in the workplace. In 2019, she also began coaching future psychologists to pass the EPPP licensing exam. She desires to bring equity to this field by providing effective and affordable coaching services so that all clinicians have the tools to become licensed. She hopes to increase the first-time pass rates of clinicians of color which will positively affect the field of psychology in many ways.

Join us today, Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 5:30pm PST to hear Dr. Erica’s journey in passing her EPPP exam on the first attempt and how you too can also pass this exam and become a Licensed Psychologist!

Join us live and if you would like to engage with us, please visit the following link to grant permission to see your name https://streamyard.com/facebook

If you are unable to make it live, you can catch the replay at https://www.mindfulepppjourney.com/eppp-podcast

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Ganas & Go!

Ganas = Desire

"Ganas" or "tener ganas" means having desire or urge to do something. According to Urban Dictionary, the term was popularized by Edward James Olmos where he played Jaime Escalante, a math teacher in the movie Stand and Deliver. He is quoted to say, "You're going to work harder here than you've ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask from you is 'ganas.' Desire...If you don't have the ganas, I will give it to you, because I'm the expert."

Throughout my educational and professional trajectory and influenced by my Mexican culture, "ganas" has been embedded in my way of being. Nothing is too hard, a challenge is always overcome, and when I feel like giving up (e.g., attaining my doctoral degree), somewhere somehow, I draw up the energy and "ganas" to keep going. In research, it's what we call grit, resilience, persistence, and perseverance.

I've met so many successful and driven people like myself, that sometimes find that it's a bit challenging or overwhelming to keep up our stamina with the amazing things that we do. We often find ourselves, "oh...I want to do this," "I plan to do that," or "I'll get to that sometime." Sometime doesn't exist. The time is now. I want to help you capitalize on your "ganas" and support you in moving forward with your goals. I've been thinking about coaching for a while and while watching my new favorite show, The Profit, I came up with the idea of "Ganas & Go!" Let's take your ganas...and go! Let's achieve your goals and dreams, because you have a lot to contribute to the world and universe. What do you have ganas for? What have you always wanted to do but were afraid to take the first step? What are you currently working on that you'd like to successfully complete?