It’s Tuesday…late on Tuesday, but still Tuesday, so it’s Hot Topic time! Now that we’re into the diagnostic categories, it’s important to start looking at questions and thinking about differential diagnoses – what information do you need for an initial diagnostic impression? What are the features that distinguish similar disorders from one another? This week, we’re looking at Mood Disorders: Sample Question: A social worker in private practice receives a referral for a 32 year old woman who reports ongoing difficulties with social and romantic relationships. During the initial appointment, the

I don’t know about all of you out there, but until I interned on an acute inpatient psychiatric unit, I really had no idea what a person experiencing psychosis really looked like (clinically speaking). This category of disorders, distinguished by the primary symptoms of delusions, prominent hallucinations, disorganized speech, or disorganized or catatonic behavior, is bound to come up on the exam in a variety of ways. Here’s just one: Sample Question: A social worker in a community mental health clinic begins an intake on a 22 year-old male. During the course of the intake, the social worker

This week’s Hot Topic is a little different – there are many clinicians out there who have never (and will never) treat or work with an infant, child, or adolescent…so why do we have to know about disorders that are usually diagnosed duriThis week’s Hot Topic is a little different – there are many clinicians out there who have never (and will never) treat or work with an infant, child, or adolescent…so why do we have to know about disorders that are usually diagnosed during this time? There are probably lots of answers to that, but for me, it’s important because they are a particularly

It's Hot Topics Tuesday and this week we're looking at substance abuse. Regardless of what setting you work in or the population that you work with, you will come across clients who are dealing with the ill effects of substance use, abuse or dependence. Here’s how it might come up in a test item: Sample Question: A social worker meets with a couple seeking treatment due to an increase in tension and arguments. During the assessment, the wife reports that she has been on Oxycontin since having back surgery a year ago. When the social worker asks follow up questions, the wife admits that she has

At my last job, I was fortunate to be trained in crisis intervention and treatment, an extremely useful skill in the world of clinical practice. Regardless of where you work or what population you work with, encountering a client in crisis is inevitable. It’s also inevitable on the licensure exam – it’s important for licensing bodies and test administrators to ensure that you know the basics of crisis intervention so that you can keep clients safe and help them through this critical juncture. Here’s how it might come up in a test item: Sample Question: A 19 year-old male arrives at a community

I know, I know, it's Valentine's Day, who wants to hear about Danger to Others? BUT, the Therapist Development Center loves all of the therapists out there who are making the commitment to grow professionally by becoming licensed! Danger to Others is another topic that test-makerI know, I know, it's Valentine's Day, who wants to hear about Danger to Others? BUT, the Therapist Development Center loves all of the therapists out there who are making the commitment to grow professionally by becoming licensed! Danger to Others is another topic that test-makers take seriously. Therapists should be

If you’re getting ready to take the LCSW Exam or MFT Exam, this blog is for you! This week, we’re taking a closer look at the topic of Suicide/Self Harm. This is an extremely important topic, not only because it’s bound to come up on the LCSW exam, but also because it’s so critical to client safety. Here’s one way it might appear in a test item: Sample Question: A 66 year-old man is referred to a social worker by his adult daughter. During the initial assessment, the man reports poor sleep and increased feelings of hopelessness after being laid off from his job. He goes on to tell the social

Alright Social Work Exam- and MFT Exam-Takers, it’s Tuesday, time for another Hot Topic. This week we’re taking a brief look at Domestic Violence. Let’s take a closer look at a possible test item. Sample Question: A woman is referred to her EAP for frequent absences and difficulty completing projects. During the brief interview, she initially deflects questions regarding her marriage, though she reports that her husband was laid off from his job 6 months ago and the couple was forced to move in order for the client to obtain work. The woman becomes tearful when discussing her lack of social

It’s Hot Topics Tuesday! We’re going to continue the LCSW/MFT Exam Hot Topics Blog with a review of Abuse and Neglect of Elderly/Dependent clients. Here’s how it might show up in a test item: Sample Question: A hospital social worker is called to the emergency room and asked to evaluate an 82 year-old woman who was found wandering on the street and picked up by paramedics. She is disoriented and talking rapidly about her son. Paramedics tell the social worker that the woman was “paranoid” and “begging” not to be taken home when they questioned her. What should the social worker do NEXT? A

Alright folks, we’re kicking off the LCSW & MFT Exam Hot Topics Blog with a review of Child Neglect. How would neglect show up in a test item? Here’s a sample question: Sample Question: During an initial assessment with a 7-year-old boy, a therapist observes that the boy is small in stature and appears listless and gaunt. He is difficult to engage in play and mostly unresponsive to questions about school and friends. The therapist notices that the boy is trying to sneak candy from a dish into his pockets. What should the therapist do NEXT? A. Comment on the child's behavior B. Call in the boy