If you provide marriage counseling or couples counseling you probably have discussed sex during a session. Maybe your client brought the topic up as an issue in their relationship, or you asked if there are any problems with intimacy. As a therapist, there is no way to escape the topic of sex and intimacy. Sex is a significant issue that leads people to begin couples therapy. In relationship counseling and marriage therapy, there is always something to learn about sex and intimacy. Even though I have a doctorate in clinical sexology and am a certified sex therapist, I continue to attend

Elder abuse and neglect is a subject that will more than likely appear on your exam, and there are numerous ways the topic can be tested. Whether you are studying for the social work or MFT law and ethics exam, it is important to be familiar with the types of abuse as well as the nuances of reporting elder abuse and neglect. How might reporting elder abuse be tested? There are several ways elder abuse and neglect can appear on the exam. Questions could test your knowledge regarding: The definition of an elder Signs of abuse and neglect Types of abuse and neglect When and where to report When

Self-determination is at the core of the social work profession. Self-determination can be defined as the clients' right to make their own decisions about their lives and their treatment. We may not always agree with our clients’ choices, but honoring their self-determination means we support them in the decisions they make (even when we ourselves would not make the same decisions). Questions on self-determination WILL show up on your ASWB social work exams, whether you are studying for the master’s level LMSW exam or the clinical LCSW exam. In many cases, the exam is looking for us to support

Last week, Friday arrived and I realized I spent the entire week running around like a chicken without a head. I was busy working and taking care of my family. I didn’t feel that I really had an opportunity to focus on taking care of myself or doing things for me. And, there were a good number of items on my to-do list that fell by the wayside. I have to admit, this was not the first time a Friday rolled around and this was my reality. And I know this experience is not unique to me; I hear this sentiment constantly being echoed by friends, colleagues, and associates like you. Many associates I

Free MFT Exam Practice Question: Working with Groups This week, our free MFT exam practice question is going to focus on the topic of working with groups. Some associates have had a good amount of experience leading and facilitating groups. Others have had almost none. Regardless of how much or how little you already know about this subject, the Therapist Development Center’s exam prep, will ensure you know everything you need to correctly answer questions on this topic. How Might Group Treatment Show Up on the Exam? Whether you are taking the Law and Ethics Exam, the California Clinical Exam

Millions of people struggle with addiction to alcohol and drugs. There is no barrier to entry to using substances such as alcohol and drugs. Substances are inexpensive and easy to access. You can buy drugs online, and alcohol is served at many movie theaters. Almost anywhere you go, from the pharmacy to a football game, you have access to alcohol and drugs. For many people, there is a strong genetic predisposition to addiction. A substance abuse disorder must meet the DSM 5 criteria. Determination of a substance abuse disorder is made by a counselor who is trained in substance abuse and

Over the past couple months, our FREE ASWB practice questions have tackled the challenging topics of child abuse and neglect reporting and elder abuse and neglect reporting. This month we present another topic that is sure to show up on your ASWB social work licensing exams, whether you are studying for your master’s level or clinical level exams: domestic violence. For those of us who do not have experience working with clients experiencing domestic violence, knowing how to approach these questions can be difficult. Even for those well versed in working with couples or individuals

Each month, I write a blog that focuses on strategies to manage test anxiety. This month, we will discuss different narrative therapy techniques that can help us deal with test anxiety. I started this blog in response to what appeared to be a pervasive feeling shared by many associates preparing for their licensing exams. I’ve worked with hundreds, if not thousands of test takers, and common refrains I would hear included: I am a terrible test taker. I have severe test anxiety. If this were an oral exam, I would do much better. If this were an essay exam, I would do great; but I’m awful with

This week, our free MFT exam practice question is going to focus on the topic of working with families. It’s quite possible that family counseling is a more abstract concept for you. It may be something you studied in graduate school, but have yet to experience in the clinical settings of your traineeships or associate positions; and yet, the BBS still wants to know that you are aware of the unique issues that arise when working with this population. Regardless of how much or how little you already know about this subject, the Therapist Development Center’s exam prep, will ensure you know

Even after 12 years of clinical work with the LGBTQIA+ community I learn new terms and phrases almost on a weekly basis. With more visibility, awareness, and advocacy, people are expanding their understanding of their identities. As a clinician, it is vital that you receive training and education to work with the LGBTQIA+ community. If you know that LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual, then you have taken the first step. Along with other people I use LGBTQIA+ versus LGBTQIA to be more inclusive of all other identities. Adding the + sign is