LCSW Practice Exam Series – Part 4

A client with generalized anxiety disorder describes avoiding conversations with their boss because they fear receiving negative feedback. They state, “I feel like I’ll lose my job if I mess up.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client with depression expresses difficulty finding motivation to complete even basic tasks. They state, “What’s the point of trying? Nothing ever changes.” What is the best next step?

A client with chronic anxiety frequently reports physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches but denies any medical concerns. They have not yet seen a physician about these symptoms. What is the best initial step for the social worker?

A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reports that their compulsions are consuming several hours of their day. They say, “I know it’s irrational, but I just can’t stop.” What is the most evidence-based intervention?

A parent of a 7-year-old child reports that the child frequently becomes angry and aggressive when asked to complete chores. The parent says, “Nothing I do seems to work.” What is the best intervention?

A client with a history of trauma reports difficulty maintaining healthy relationships due to mistrust and fear of vulnerability. They state, “I feel like I’m always waiting for people to hurt me.” What is the best approach for the social worker?

A parent reports that their 6-year-old child has frequent nightmares and refuses to sleep alone. The child often wakes up crying, saying, “There’s a monster in my room.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A teenager reports feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities at school and home. They say, “I feel like I’m failing at everything.” The parents express concern that the teenager isn’t motivated. What is the best intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports being unable to stop worrying about their children’s safety, despite knowing that their fears are irrational. What cognitive-behavioral technique would be most effective in addressing this concern?

A social worker is facilitating a therapy group for individuals recovering from trauma. One participant frequently makes self-deprecating comments, such as “I’m broken and can’t be fixed.” How should the social worker respond?

A client recovering from substance use disorder shares that they feel overwhelmed by the amount of support they need to maintain sobriety. They say, “I feel like I’ll never be able to do this on my own.” What is the best intervention?

A client reports feeling overwhelmed by their workload and states, “I’m constantly thinking about work, even when I’m at home.” They also describe difficulty sleeping and increased irritability. What is the most appropriate intervention?

A teenager reports feeling isolated after their closest friend moved away. They say, “No one else understands me like they did.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

During a group therapy session, a participant dominates the conversation, leaving little room for others to contribute. Some members appear disengaged. How should the social worker respond?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports feeling overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities. They say, “I just don’t know where to start.” What is the most effective intervention?

A social worker is meeting with a client who feels overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities for their aging parent. The client reports feelings of guilt for wanting more personal time. What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client recently diagnosed with major depressive disorder expresses feelings of guilt about not being productive. They say, “I feel useless when I can’t get anything done.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A teenager shares that they are being bullied at school and feel “completely alone.” They say, “I don’t even want to go to school anymore.” What is the best intervention?

A social worker is facilitating a group therapy session, and one participant becomes visibly upset and leaves the room after sharing a personal story. What is the most appropriate response?

A parent reports that their 8-year-old child frequently interrupts conversations and struggles to sit still during dinner. The parent says, “It’s like they’re always bouncing off the walls.” What is the best intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder shares that they avoid taking on new responsibilities at work because they fear making mistakes. They say, “I don’t want everyone to see me fail.” What is the most effective intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel anxious about starting college, saying, “What if I fail and let everyone down?” They describe avoiding preparation because it feels overwhelming. What is the best intervention?

A client with social anxiety shares that they often feel judged when speaking in public. They say, “I feel like everyone is watching and waiting for me to mess up.” What is the most effective intervention?

A parent of a 4-year-old reports that the child has frequent tantrums when transitioning between activities. The parent says, “They just refuse to cooperate.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they feel overwhelmed by intrusive memories and flashbacks. They say, “I can’t seem to escape it.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client with depression shares that they struggle to find motivation to engage in daily activities, saying, “I just don’t see the point.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A teenager shares that they often feel left out by their peers and say, “I feel like no one really notices me.” They describe withdrawing from social situations and spending more time alone. What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from a traumatic event shares that they avoid discussing their experiences because they feel “overwhelmed and unsure how to start.” They also describe having frequent intrusive thoughts. What is the best intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder shares that they often procrastinate on important tasks because they fear making mistakes. They say, “It’s easier to put it off than to mess it up.” What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel overwhelmed by balancing academics, sports, and a part-time job. They say, “I feel like I’m failing at everything.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel overwhelmed by academic pressure and say, “I’m afraid I’ll never live up to everyone’s expectations.” They report frequent headaches and difficulty concentrating. What is the most effective intervention?

A client reports feeling isolated after moving to a new city for work. They say, “I miss my old friends, and I’m struggling to meet new people.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client recovering from depression reports feeling disconnected from their emotions, saying, “I don’t feel happy, sad, or anything—I’m just numb.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client with depression shares that they feel unmotivated and struggle to get out of bed in the morning. They say, “I just don’t see the point in anything.” What is the most effective intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel overwhelmed by managing school, sports, and a part-time job. They say, “I just can’t do it all.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client recovering from a traumatic event shares that they feel emotionally numb and disconnected from others. They say, “It’s like I’m just going through the motions.” What is the best intervention?

A parent reports that their 7-year-old child struggles to sit still during dinner and frequently leaves the table before finishing their meal. The parent says, “It’s impossible to keep them seated.” What is the best intervention?

A parent reports that their 5-year-old child frequently becomes frustrated when trying new activities, saying, “I can’t do it!” The parent says, “I don’t know how to help them feel more confident.” What is the best intervention?

A parent of a 4-year-old child reports that the child frequently hits other children during playdates, saying, “They don’t know how to play nicely.” The parent is unsure how to address this behavior. What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel “burnt out” from managing school, sports, and extracurricular activities. They say, “I’m constantly tired and can’t seem to catch up.” What is the most effective intervention?

A parent of a 6-year-old child reports that the child frequently refuses to share toys and becomes upset when other children want to play with them. The parent says, “I’m not sure how to teach them to share.” What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they feel hypervigilant in public spaces, saying, “I’m constantly scanning for danger.” They describe feeling exhausted by this state of alertness. What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they feel overwhelmed when thinking about the event. They say, “I’m not ready to talk about it yet.” What is the best intervention?

A client shares that they feel like they are “always on edge” at work, worrying about making mistakes. They say, “I feel like I’ll lose my job if I mess up.” What is the most effective intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel like they’re constantly compared to their older sibling, saying, “No matter what I do, I’ll never measure up.” They report feeling discouraged and unmotivated. What is the best intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder shares that they frequently wake up in the middle of the night with racing thoughts. They say, “I feel exhausted all the time.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder describes difficulty concentrating at work because they are constantly worrying about making mistakes. They say, “I feel like I’m walking on eggshells all the time.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A parent shares concerns about their 10-year-old child, who frequently complains of stomachaches before school. The parent says, “They seem fine on weekends, but they cry every morning before school.” What is the best intervention?

A client reports experiencing persistent anxiety about their financial situation, despite having stable income and savings. They say, “I just can’t stop worrying that something will go wrong.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client reports feeling overwhelmed by a recent breakup, stating, “I don’t even know who I am without them.” They also describe withdrawing from social activities and struggling to focus at work. What is the most appropriate intervention?