Exam Prep Blog: July 2012

Oh defense mechanisms. I think we're all guilty of using them and with good reason. They serve an important role in our lives and our client's lives by helping us cope with the many challenges that we face in life. Here’s a sample question to start us off: Sample Question: All of the following statements describe defense mechanisms EXCEPT: A. Conscious behavior used by the client to protect the client from the influence of the therapist B. Justifying actions or thoughts to make them seem acceptable when unconsciously they are not C. Rejecting or attributing unacceptable aspects of one’s

Oh, goodbyes...most of us aren't very good at them in our personal lives, but it's important that we become good at the process around saying goodbye in our professional lives. Termination is a vital part of treatment and deserves our attention and respect. We may not always get to control how and when we say goodbye to clients, but we can provide a model for our clients of how to say goodbye in a healthy way that honors whatever relationship we've had. So, how does termination show up on the exam? Let's look at an example. Sample: A 27 year-old male client has been working with a therapist

Countertransference has always been one of my favorites topics because it is something that everyone experiences while working with clients. While Freud was the first to coin this term, the way we view countertransference today has changed and been molded over time. Let's jump right in with a sample question to get a deeper understanding of countertransference. Sample: Which of the following statements BEST describes countertransference within the client-therapist relationship? A. The projection of the client's feelings regarding past experiences onto the therapist B. The therapist's emotional

The exam prep process is not only stressful, it's also expensive -- especially for people who struggle to pass. I recently spoke to two different women who have both failed by a few point multiple times using other companies' materials. Both reported confusion about what they could have done differently and wondered if they should repeat the program. They shared that it only would cost $100 to repeat the program. There are a couple things wrong here. First, why would a person want to repeat the same system that just failed them? Second, and more disturbing to me, how could a company have the

Oh, the places we could go with this topic! Intervention encompasses a majority of what clinical social workers and therapists do -- from the first interaction with a client until termination is complete, we're intervening. So, let's focus in and look at one way this topic can come up on the exam. Sample: In an initial session with a therapist, a 42 year-old man reports feelings of nervousness and difficulty sleeping. When the therapist attempts to clarify the client's feelings, he begins discussing conflicts with coworkers and an increase in arguments with his wife. He goes on to report that

We are onto week two of the Social Work Exam Prep: The ABC’s Blog! This week we’ll be looking at boundaries and the impact they have on our work. Boundaries are an important part of social work because they are there to not only protect the client, but to protect you as the social worker as well. Here’s a sample question to start us off. Sample Question: All of the following statements are characteristics of boundaries within the client-therapist relationship EXCEPT: A. Developing a framework that allows for a safe connection based upon the needs of the client B. Maintaining the social work

Well, folks, we've officially made it halfway through our list of Hot Topics! This week we tackle Assessment. The word itself is complex; it can refer to an individual document, a test, a process, or an entire segment of the treatment process. Ideally, you are assessing your clients on some level during every session, although the quality of this assessment changes over time. So, how does this topic come up in test items? Let's look at a sample. Sample: A 43 year-old woman begins working with a therapist, reporting significant issues in both her personal and professional relationships that

We make choices every day. But there is a lot more on the line when you go shopping for test prep materials. That's why I love when people call wanting to know more about our LCSW and MFT test prep programs. I was the same way. I wanted to know exactly what I was paying for and how it differed from the other companies' programs. In an effort to make the choice clearer, I have created quick quiz to assess whether we are the right program for you or whether you'd be better off with one of the other companies. Question 1: Do you like to be overwhelmed with excessive study materials? If you

Hi everyone and welcome to The Therapist Development Center’s Social Work Exam Prep: The ABC’s blog! Each Thursday I will use this blog to post about various social work terms that may show up on the exam. We will go through each term alphabetically and illustrate the importance of knowing these terms so that you are ready come test day! Here’s a sample question to start us off this week with the letter A: Sample Question: Which of the following statements BEST describes the assessment process that occurs during the beginning stages of treatment? A.The process of determining what services are

The US Census estimates that in 2010, there were over 38 million people aged 65 and older living in the United States. As Baby Boomers continue to age, this number and the proportion of the population it represents will certainly grow. Despite these facts, many therapists out there (myself included) haven't been trained to and likely won't work directly with an elderly population. This can make test questions about working with the elderly tricky. Here's one way this topic can show up in a test item. Sample: A 67 year-old woman approaches a therapist in a community center and requests