Exam Prep

In my last two blogs on test anxiety, I provided psychoeducation about the benefits of moderate levels of anxiety, as well as guidelines for how to utilize self-compassion to temper anxiety when it becomes debilitating. The goal of this month’s blog is to help you identify some common and unhelpful behaviors you may be engaging in when anxiety gets the best of you, and identify strategies to shift away from these behaviors and instead prepare for your exam more effectively and confidently.

Yesterday we continued our discussion on the recent revisions made to the NASW Code of Ethics, focusing this week on the topic of informed consent. This was the second of a four part blog series reviewing these changes. Did you get yesterday's practice question correct? Read the answer and rationale below to find out!

Last week, we presented the first blog in a four part series on the substantial revisions made to the NASW Code of Ethics-the most substantial revision since 1996. In our last blog, we covered the topics of privacy and confidentiality. Today, we delve into the complex topic of informed consent. We will review the major changes and additions, and end with a free practice question for those of you preparing for your social work licensing exams!

Yesterday we began discussing the substantial revisions made to the NASW Code of Ethics. This was part one of a four part blog series reviewing these changes. We posed the following practice question to you, and today we have the answer and rationale!

The NASW has recently released changes to the Code of Ethics inspired in large part by the need to address the ethics of technology use, both personally and professionally. While these changes to the Code of Ethics are not yet reflected on the exam, we decided to make this week’s practice question about the use of technology and social media. From our TDC Social Work Exam Facebook Study Group, to our public Facebook page, and the blog itself, we saw people choose a variety of answer options. We are excited to share the answer and rationale with you today!

With rapidly increasing usage of social media for purposes of networking, marketing, professional development, and formal and informal communications, we are living in interesting (and challenging) times as mental health professionals. As social workers, these are some murky waters we have to figure out how to navigate through, and until recently, our Code of Ethics provided little instruction on how to go about this successfully (and ethically). Fifteen years ago, identifying how to ethically traverse the Facebook world was not something we as social workers had to consider, but now, it is a very real task we face.

We are excited to announce that starting today, we are piloting a private TDC user Facebook group for anyone currently signed up for one of our social work exam prep programs! This is an idea our TDC team has been working on for several months after many discussions surrounding the pros and cons of social media exam support. We want to create a space that fosters positive (and ethical) peer support for our TDC family as they are preparing for their social work licensing exams. This will be a place where you can come to discuss specific TDC practice questions, encourage one another in your study process, discuss anxiety management and self-care strategies, and engage in discussions on some of those trickier topics that you are looking for some extra support with.

Yesterday's FREE practice question featured the topic of treatment planning. Today we have the answer and rationale for you!