MFT Exam Prep

If you’re planning on getting licensed as a marriage and family therapist in California, the new BBS vote may impact you. As many of you may know, California is the only state that requires the MFT clinical exam to become licensed. All other 49 states recognize the Association of Marital and Family Therapists Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) national exam for licensure. However, in May 2024, the profession of marriage and family therapists reached a major milestone. The BBS voted to move toward transitioning from the current clinical exam to the AMFTRB national exam as a licensing requirement in

It’s official! The BBS has formally announced upcoming changes to the California MFT Clinical Exam. Beginning on September 1, 2024, the clinical exam will shift from 170 questions (150 scored and 20 non-scored questions) to 150 total questions. That means that once the changes go into effect, 125 questions will be scored and 25 experimental questions will not be scored. And there’s even better news. The four-hour time limit for the exam will remain unchanged, ensuring that test-takers will have more time to answer each question going forward. Additionally, the exam content and structure will

Elder age continues to elicit questions among testers preparing for the LCSW and MFT CA Law and Ethics Exams. The source of the confusion began with AB 135, a California law that went into effect in January 2022. This law amended Chapter 13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to state that an elder adult is defined as anyone 60 years of age and older. This allows APS staff to accept reports and conduct investigations of elder abuse and neglect for people 60 years and older. The intent of the law was to align with the age eligibility for the Older Americans Act programs, which serve

We’re thrilled to announce Amanda Rowan is presenting at the NASW-CA Annual Conference later this month, October 20-21, in Burbank, California. Together, you’ll take a deep dive into the Edge of Life Model: Introduction to Treating Suicidality. Imagine sitting on the literal Edge of Life with your client. What emotions do you experience? What physical sensations arise? What thoughts do you have? Treating suicidality is scary for both the client and the therapist. To help clients move away from the edge, we must first be able to welcome, explore, and understand the depths of their unique

Whether therapists operate in group collectives, a hospital setting, or private practice, each of us are connected within a broader mental health community that’s upheld by supporting and regulating each other. If a colleague significantly transgresses the laws or ethics of the field, there are specific steps of action the BBS expects clinicians to take to help resolve the violation. On the law and ethics exam, you’ll most likely see issues with colleagues show up in one or two ways. You may be tested on questions regarding colleagues who engage in sexual relations with their clients, or you

This month, we’re tackling the topic of duty to protect as it relates to the 1976 Tarasoff ruling by the California Supreme Court. If you’re a new therapist and you can’t remember the protocol for Tarasoff situations, you’re not alone. Most associates have little to no professional experience with clients who are a danger to others, which can often lead to confusion around a therapist’s legal responsibilities, particularly on the CA law and ethics exam. And that’s where we come in. Here are the primary ways the BBS will evaluate your understanding of Tarasoff on the test: How to assess for

One of the most fundamental aspects of navigating a new career as a psychotherapist is learning the business practices and policies that protect you and your clients. For many pre-licensed associates, this can feel like a daunting task. It’s no secret that these rules and regulations are extensive and include quite a few moving parts. This month’s blog cannot address every policy-related issue, but our MFT and LCSW exam prep programs will help you learn what you need to know to succeed. Below, we provide a brief overview of the specific business categories the BBS wants you to be proficient in

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

Part I Welcome to Part I of our two-part blog series regarding DSM-5-TR updates. Earlier this year, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) released the DSM-5-TR, which includes updates to the DSM 5. Before you panic, let me reassure you that most of the changes are minor. The primary purpose of the updates is to clarify the descriptive text of certain DSM disorders. Most of the changes include minor phrasing updates and grammatical changes. The criteria sets remain essentially unchanged. The significant change in the DSM-5-TR is the addition of some new diagnoses, which we review here. Let

“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