MFT Free Practice Question: Case Management

Case management is a concept more commonly associated with social work than marriage and family therapy. In more recent times, however, there has been an increased emphasis on MFTs engaging in case management with their clients. As a result, the BBS expects you to know about this topic and you can definitely see questions related to it appear on your MFT California Clinical exam. This month’s blog will provide a brief overview of case management and test your ability to navigate a FREE practice question on the topic. 

Whether you have experience with case management and resource coordination or not, TDCs MFT California Clinical exam prep program will provide you with everything you need to know on the subject. An incredible feature of TDC’s exam prep programs, that separates us from others out there is, you’re not alone as you study. With TDC, you always have the ability to email your coach to address any questions or concerns that arise as you study. 

What is case management? 

Case management is distinct from the provision of psychotherapy. It is really about helping empower and increase autonomy in clients. Case management activities can include: 

• Coordination of care
• Researching and connecting clients to community resources
• Advocating on behalf of clients to increase access to resources  

Practice Question

A therapist works in a county mental health agency as part of a multidisciplinary team. The therapist receives a referral to provide case management to a 23-year-old male

 with a history of substance abuse. The client shares that he recently left a physically abusive relationship and lost his job after he showed up for his shift smelling of alcohol. He states, “I have no one in my life who cares about me. My life is a mess and I don’t know what I am going to do.” What initial tasks should the therapist focus on in this case?

A. Assist client in identifying stable housing, employment, and substance abuse treatment

B. Assist client in obtaining substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling

C. Complete an assessment and develop a comprehensive care plan 

D. Validate client’s feelings of hopelessness and process recent losses.

(scroll down for answer and rationale…)

The correct answer is C. 

Answer A can be eliminated because the client does not mention a lack of stable housing. Answer D can also be eliminated because the actions are not appropriate for case management because they are therapeutic in nature.

After eliminating answers A and D, we are left with answers B and C. Answer B is a good option, there is nothing wrong with it. However, it is not as strong as answer C. Answer C, completing an assessment and developing a care plan is a more comprehensive option. It is possible the client requires additional resources, which the assessment and care plan would help to identify and address. 

How did you do?

How did you do on the case management question? Are you ready to tackle these questions on your exam? Regardless of your answers to these questions, TDC’s MFT California Clinical Exam prep program covers it and provides you with practice questions to help you prepare. TDC’s MFT California Clinical exam prep programs give you everything you need to be successful on the exam, without overwhelming you with content you don’t need. We’ve helped THOUSANDS of MFTs PASS their exams with confidence over the past decade. Our team looks forward to helping you PASS with confidence!