Exam Prep Blog
Get the Details on Child Development for the LCSW & MFT Exam
After completing a graduate degree in social work and a post-graduate certificate program in Infant-Parent Mental Health, I like to think I know a thing or two about child development...but the truth is that I need reminders. Reminders of what is typical at each age and stage, reminders of what is
Read MoreQuick Study: A 48hr Success Story (AKA An Argument Against Over-Studying)
When it comes to passing the LCSW and MFT exams, people frequently ask me, "how much do I need to study?". They rarely ask, "how little do I need to study?". The first question is harder for me to answer. For one thing, people vary greatly in their studying efficiency. Most people say they are
Read MoreLCSW & MFT Exam Prep: Stages of Development
It’s hard for me to believe, but we’ve been at this blog for 19 weeks now…we’re rolling through our 50 Topics pretty quick! This week, our attention turns to Stages of Development. You can guarantee that there will be a handful of questions on your exam that pertain to developmental stages, and most
Read MoreChanges to the MFT and LCSW Exams in California
The rumors are true. The BBS will be changing the exam process for the MFT and LCSW exams but not until January 1, 2014. This is a change from the January 1, 2013 date that was originally proposed. In January 2013, a new registrant (MFT intern/Associate Clinical Social Worker) with the Board will be
Read MoreWhat Factors Affect Mental Health? LCSW & MFT Exam Prep
This week brings us to Factors Affecting Mental Health. Most of these factors, including environmental and psychosocial factors, are recorded on Axis IV of the DSM Multiaxial Assessment. You will see these factors in many test questions and will often be asked to prioritize interventions based on
Read MoreStudying for the LCSW or MFT Exam? Let's Understand Medical Conditions
This week, we're moving on to Axis III -- Medical Conditions. A medical condition warrants recording on Axis III of a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis when it affects the client's mental health (so if someone has diabetes, but has had it for years and is managing it well, it might not be recorded). Here's one
Read MorePreparing for the LCSW & MFT Exam: Mental Retardation
While the DSM-IV-TR considers Mental Retardation one of the Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence, we've decided to look at it as part of our tour of Axis II Disorders. Mental Retardation is on Axis II because of its lifelong trajectory and pervasive affect on
Read MoreHow to Better Understand Personality Disorders for the LCSW & MFT Exam
Ah, Personality Disorders. This category of disorders is guaranteed to come up on the exam, both in terms of differential diagnosis and in terms of treatment interventions/approaches. Let's take a look at a sample test item: Sample: A 24 year-old woman presents for an initial appointment wearing
Read MoreWhat Do You Need to Know About Sexual Disorders for the LCSW & MFT Exam?
This week, we're taking a look at Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders. It's important that you feel comfortable bringing up the issue of sex with your clients; they may present with feelings of shame, embarrassment, anger or confusion and it's essential that you demonstrate your ability to work
Read MoreLCSW & MFT Exam Prep: Let's Better Understand Health-Related Disorders
When a news story focuses on mental illness, it's often Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder that takes center stage. Recently, however, a news story put a different kind of mental illness in the spotlight, and I have to admit, for me, it's been fascinating to follow. Before
Read MoreAre You Studying for the LCSW or MFT Exam? Let's Explore Grief & Bereavement
Hey all, this week we are looking at grief and Bereavement. This topic comes up on the exam in a few ways: differential diagnosis (usually between Bereavement, Adjustment Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder); stages of grief; and the expression of grief throughout the life cycle. Here's a sample
Read MorePreparing for the LCSW & MFT Exam: Anxiety Disorders
Again, my apologies for the delay in getting the post up. This week, we’re looking at Anxiety Disorders. These can come up on the exam in a variety of ways: in reference to medications, treatment modalities, diagnoses…the list is long. Here’s a sample question to get us thinking about differential
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