Exam Prep Blog
Combatting Test Anxiety with Self-Compassion
Last month I wrote about the role anxiety plays in preparing and sitting for your licensing exams. In particular, my goal was to assure you that anxiety is not only a normal part of the process, but can even benefit your study process. If you didn’t have an opportunity to read it, here is the link. As I discussed in the last blog, while a moderate amount of anxiety can be beneficial, too much or too little can actually be detrimental. In this month’s blog, my goal is to help you develop awareness around your anxiety and begin developing skills to temper it when it becomes too high.
Read MoreMeditation Blog: Intro to Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Five years ago, I hadn’t yet been introduced to the concept of mindfulness and the idea of creating a daily meditation practice was far from my radar. As I entered into my first practicum experience where mindfulness was central both to the office culture and the mode of therapy used (DBT), I was unaware how foundational this would become to my own clinical and personal practices.
Read MoreBBS Board Meeting Update
On Friday I drove up to Sacramento to attend the BBS board meeting. My goal was twofold: to gather information on matters of importance to MFTs and Social Workers, and to ask a few questions specific to the concerns we’ve heard regarding the MFT Clinical exam. Thankfully, both goals were achieved and I want to share with you what I learned and discuss how this information impacts you.
Read MoreAnswer and Rationale for MFT Question on Duty to Warn
On Friday we posted the following question on our Tarasoff duty, and today we have the answer and rationale for you!
Read MoreFree MFT Practice Question: Duty to Warn
This week our practice question explores Tarasoff and our duty to protect. Oftentimes, people struggle with questions on this topic because the subject itself feels a bit abstract. Many clinicians have read case law and studied Tarasoff in graduate school, but have not encountered these situations in clinical practice. And while it is an intimidating prospect, the likelihood of our duties being triggered under Tarasoff is thankfully low. However, the BBS still wants to ensure you know what to do in the unlikely event you find yourself in this situation.
Read More2017 Veterans Service Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to the 5 winners of the 2017 Veterans Service Scholarship:
Read MorePathways To Success
So often when I see a successful clinical social worker who is a leader in their area of expertise, I find myself wondering how they got there and what their first few years out of grad school were like. I’m excited to announce we are interviewing and sharing the stories of clinical social workers' and MFTs' “pathways to success.” These interviews share insights, hard earned wisdom, and tips that we hope will encourage and inspire you no matter where you are on your own pathway to success.
Read MoreAnswer and Rationale for MFT Practice Question on Suicidal Clients
On Friday we posted the following question on suicidal clients, and today we have the answer and rationale for you!
Read MoreMFT Practice Question: Suicidal Clients
In this week’s practice question, we explore the subject of suicide. You will likely see several questions on this subject regardless of which exam you take. This topic can be difficult to navigate whether you are working in the clinical setting or trying to determine the best answer on an exam question. However, reviewing the audio lectures that Amanda Rowan developed teaches you how best to approach these questions on the exam. You will also be able to take this knowledge with you into your clinical practice!
Read MoreASWB Exam Changes: Exploring Upcoming Changes to the LMSW and LCSW Exams
The ASWB recently announced that they will be making changes to their licensing exams, to take effect January 2, 2018. First of all, don't panic! These changes are being implemented to ensure exam content is 1. relevant to current practice and 2. demonstrates both the opinions and the expertise of a diverse group of stakeholders (ASWB, 2017). We have already been getting a number of emails and calls from test takers anxious about these upcoming changes-and rightfully so, as the exam is daunting enough without the uncertainty of new material. The ASWB states, “the updates to the blueprints can generally be described as a touching up and refining of details, with only a few specific topics receiving more extensive adjustments” (ASWB, 2017). This is good news! The changes being made for the LMSW and LCSW exams are minor (the exam undergoing the greatest changes is the Advanced Generalist Exam-an exam you don’t have to worry about if you are on the path to clinical licensure!).
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