Exam Prep

This month we're going to tackle an important topic of confidentiality as it relates to the law and ethics exam preparation. Confidentiality is both a legal and an ethical requirement placed on the therapist that restricts the volunteering of information obtained in a therapeutic relationship. By and large, maintaining confidentiality is the default state for therapists. However, there are mandatory and permitted exceptions to the rule, and the BBS wants you to know the information inside-out for the LMFT, LCSW, and LPCC law & ethics exams. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the confidentiality

As we discussed last month in our blog on Gestalt Therapy, a challenge of the ASWB LMSW and LCSW exams is the breadth of content that can be tested. In particular, many different therapy theories can show up on the test. So today we cover another less commonly tested theory: Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Interpersonal Psychotherapy Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is an evidence-based therapy for Depressive Disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Phobia and some Eating Disorders. IPT improves interpersonal functioning, thereby decreasing presenting symptoms. IPT is brief and

One of the challenges of the ASWB LMSW and LCSW exams are the breadth of content that can be tested. One particularly dense area of content are the many therapy theories. Today we delve into a less commonly tested theory, but one that does show up from time to time: Gestalt. In addition to covering Gestalt in our therapy theories quick study, we also have a practical and engaging 9 hour CE course on this topic. While it goes in more depth than what is tested, it is a great resource for your clinical practice. ASWB Application of Gestalt Therapy So how could Gestalt therapy show up on the test

“My client disclosed XYZ. Is that a mandated report?” This is one of the most common questions that I hear among trainees and associates, who often feel anxious about mandated reporting in the earlier stages of their career. It’s an incredibly important subject to know how to navigate legally and ethically in real life, and you can expect the BBS to test your knowledge on it at length. So, let’s start with the basics. What is a mandated reporter? All pre-licensed and licensed social workers and therapists are considered mandated reporters. This means that we’re legally obligated to report

This month’s ASWB LMSW and LCSW topic is one that is important well beyond the exam: Clinical Documentation. Even our code of ethics speaks to the importance of clinical documentation. “Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that documentation in records is accurate and reflects the services provided. Social workers should include sufficient and timely documentation in records to facilitate the delivery of services and to ensure continuity of services provided to clients in the future” (standard 3.04, NASW Code of Ethics). Regardless of the setting(s) you work in throughout your

Today’s ASWB social work blog topic is one that is important for both the exams and our clinical practice: clinical assessment. In fact, this topic is so important that TDC created a six hour clinical assessment course on life stressors and coping. While this course goes into more depth than will be needed for the LMSW or LCSW exams, it is a great resource for anyone in clinical practice. Clinical Assessment in Social Work The assessment process is key to understanding why a client is seeking treatment, what their presenting issue(s) are, and what they are hoping to gain from treatment. It

As I coach our LMSW and LCSW customers, the question of the ‘why’-the purpose of the test- sometimes comes up. Ultimately, the ASWB exists for the purpose of public safety. The ASWB exists to be a gatekeeper to the profession, ensuring licensed social workers are able to practice safely and ethically. So many questions on the exam fall under safety and ethics. (And so many of our challenging situations once we’re licensed come from ethical issues; more on our ethics CE offerings below!). ASWB Exam Prep: Ethics So what happens when a social worker acts in a manner that is unsafe or that goes

So, after a 2 month hiatus to cover recent changes to the NASW code of ethics, we are back with another ASWB practice question! This month we continue our series comparing recall vs. application vs. reasoning questions. Every two months this year, we're taking a topic that could show up on the ASWB exams and comparing two ways it could be tested. In February and March we covered Narcissistic Personality Disorder. April and May were all about Antisocial Personality Disorder. In June and July we covered the differences between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. This month we are diving into a commonly

You may or may not have heard that the NASW recently published revisions to the social work code of ethics. While minor, these revisions are so important to our field (and in my opinion, were a long time coming!). These changes fall into two main categories: self-care and cultural competence. Last month’s blog discussed the updates regarding self-care, and today’s blog discusses updates regarding cultural competence. Similarly to self-care, these updates impact our practice more than they will the exam (more on that below!). These changes come at a time where racism, discrimination, and

The NASW recently published revisions to the social work code of ethics. While minor in terms of how this will impact the exam (more on that later), these revisions are crucial to our field. These changes to the code of ethics fall into two main categories: self-care and cultural competency. This week’s blog discusses the updates regarding self-care, and our upcoming blog will discuss updates regarding cultural competency. Code of Ethics and Self-Care I am SO glad to see self-care added to the code of ethics. Self-care mutually benefits both clinicians and their clients by promoting personal