FREE LCSW Mock Exam 2025 with 150 Questions

Case-Based Question: Emma, a 42-year-old single parent, reports persistent sadness for about two years. She’s functional but feels a chronic sense of emptiness and low self-esteem. Which diagnosis should be most strongly considered?

A client with depression shares that they feel disconnected from their emotions and say, “I feel like I’m just going through the motions every day.” They report struggling to engage with others. What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel excluded by their peer group at school, saying, “I feel like I’ll never fit in.” They describe avoiding social interactions and spending most of their time alone. What is the most effective intervention?

A client shares that they feel disconnected from their family after a recent conflict, saying, “It’s like we’re all strangers now.” They report feeling unsure how to rebuild these relationships. What is the most effective intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they often feel “frozen” and unable to act when they are reminded of the event. They say, “I feel stuck every time it happens.” What is the best intervention?

A client with depression shares that they feel like they have no energy or motivation, saying, “I can’t even get out of bed some days.” What is the most effective intervention?

A parent reports that their 4-year-old child has started biting other children at daycare. The parent says, “I don’t know how to make them stop.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client with depression shares that they feel like they’re “in a fog” and have trouble concentrating at work. They say, “I just can’t focus on anything.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client recovering from trauma reports avoiding certain locations that remind them of the event. They say, “I just can’t handle being anywhere near that place.” What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from substance use disorder shares that they feel overwhelmed by family members constantly asking about their recovery. They say, “It’s like they’re always watching me.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client with depression shares that they feel disconnected from their partner and say, “I don’t feel like I can talk to them anymore.” They report that communication has become tense and infrequent. What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel pressure to excel in sports because their parent is heavily invested in their success. They say, “I feel like I can’t just play for fun anymore.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client with social anxiety reports avoiding team meetings at work due to fear of judgment from colleagues. They say, “I feel like everyone’s just waiting for me to mess up.” What is the most effective intervention?

A parent reports that their 10-year-old child often gets upset when plans change unexpectedly, leading to meltdowns. The parent says, “It’s like they can’t handle anything unpredictable.” What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they often feel irritable and have frequent arguments with their parents. They say, “It feels like they just don’t get me.” The parents report feeling hurt by the teenager’s behavior and unsure how to connect. What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel “different” from their peers because of their cultural background and says, “I feel like I’ll never fit in.” They describe withdrawing from social interactions to avoid judgment. What is the most appropriate intervention?

A parent reports that their 9-year-old child often refuses to do homework and becomes frustrated easily, saying, “I hate school!” The parent says, “I’ve tried everything, but they won’t listen.” What is the best intervention?

A parent of a 6-year-old reports that their child often gets frustrated when trying new tasks and says, “I can’t do this!” The parent says, “I don’t know how to encourage them to keep trying.” What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they feel “stuck” in their recovery, saying, “I don’t know how to move forward.” They report feeling frustrated and discouraged. What is the most effective intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder shares that they constantly feel unprepared for work, saying, “I double-check everything, but I still think I’ve missed something.” What is the best intervention?

A parent of a 6-year-old child shares that the child often struggles with transitions, saying, “They get upset whenever we have to switch activities.” The parent is unsure how to handle these situations. What is the best intervention?

A client with depression shares that they feel guilty about not being productive during the day. They say, “I feel like I’m wasting my time.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client with social anxiety shares that they avoid networking events because they feel “awkward” and say, “I’m terrible at making small talk.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they often feel triggered by specific sounds, such as loud bangs or alarms. They say, “It makes me feel like I’m back there again.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client with social anxiety shares that they avoid networking events because they fear being judged for not knowing what to say. They say, “I feel like I’ll just embarrass myself.” What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they feel uneasy in crowded places, saying, “I’m always afraid something bad will happen.” They describe avoiding these environments as much as possible. What is the most effective intervention?

A client shares that they often feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities at work and home, saying, “I feel like I can’t catch a break.” They report feeling exhausted and irritable. What is the most effective intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they often avoid crowded places because they feel overwhelmed and unsafe. They say, “I feel like something bad is going to happen.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client recovering from substance use disorder shares that they feel overwhelmed by the expectations of maintaining sobriety. They say, “It’s exhausting trying to stay strong every day.” What is the best intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder shares that they avoid making important decisions, saying, “I’m afraid I’ll make the wrong choice and regret it.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder shares that they avoid making decisions because they fear “making the wrong choice.” They say, “What if I regret it later?” What is the best intervention?

A client with social anxiety reports dreading an upcoming event where they’ll need to give a presentation. They say, “I know I’ll mess it up and embarrass myself.” What is the best intervention?

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

A teenager shares that they feel embarrassed to speak up in class, saying, “I always feel like I’ll say the wrong thing.” They often avoid participating in discussions and group projects. What is the best intervention?

A teenager reports feeling pressured to excel academically and says, “I feel like my parents will be disappointed if I don’t get perfect grades.” They also report experiencing frequent headaches and trouble sleeping. What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from substance use disorder expresses frustration about their progress, saying, “I’ve been sober for months, but I still feel like I’m struggling every day.” What is the most effective intervention?

A parent of a 7-year-old child shares that the child has difficulty sitting still during school and often disrupts the class. The parent says, “We’ve tried everything, but nothing works.” What is the best intervention?

A client shares that they often feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities at work and home, saying, “I’m stretched too thin.” They report feeling irritable and unable to concentrate. What is the most effective intervention?

A client recovering from substance use disorder shares that they feel judged by old friends who continue to use substances, saying, “It’s like they don’t understand my choices.” What is the best intervention?

A teenager reports feeling overwhelmed by their schoolwork and says, “I just don’t have the energy to keep up.” Their parent expresses frustration, saying, “They need to stop procrastinating and take responsibility.” What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel overwhelmed by constant arguments between their parents. They say, “I just want them to stop fighting.” The parents report tension due to financial stress. What is the best intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder shares that they frequently feel “on edge” and worry about their health, despite receiving reassurance from their doctor. They say, “What if they missed something?” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client recovering from trauma reports avoiding discussions about their past, stating, “Talking about it will just make things worse.” They also describe trouble sleeping and frequent nightmares. What is the most effective intervention?

A client with a history of depression reports feeling disconnected from their friends and family, stating, “I feel like I’m just going through the motions.” What is the most effective intervention?

A parent of a 6-year-old child shares that the child has frequent meltdowns when asked to transition between activities. The parent says, “It’s like they can’t handle change.” What is the best intervention?

A client reports feeling irritable and snapping at coworkers, saying, “I just can’t handle the stress at work anymore.” They also describe difficulty sleeping and a lack of motivation. What is the most effective intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they feel anxious when hearing loud noises, saying, “It makes me feel like I’m back there again.” They report avoiding public spaces where this might happen. What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from substance use disorder shares that they feel overwhelmed by their recovery journey and say, “I don’t know if I can keep doing this.” What is the most effective intervention?

A parent of a 5-year-old child reports that the child often cries and refuses to go to bed, saying, “They keep asking for one more story.” The parent says, “I don’t know how to handle it.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client shares that they feel “stuck” in therapy, saying, “I don’t feel like I’m making any progress.” They describe feeling frustrated and unsure whether to continue. What is the best intervention?

A parent reports that their 5-year-old child becomes upset when they lose a game, saying, “They throw the pieces and cry every time they don’t win.” The parent says, “I don’t know how to help them handle losing.” What is the best intervention?

A client with social anxiety reports dreading an upcoming social gathering, saying, “I’ll just embarrass myself if I go.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they feel emotionally distant from their partner and say, “It’s hard to open up to them after everything I’ve been through.” What is the best intervention?

A parent of an 8-year-old child reports that the child often refuses to do homework and becomes upset when pushed to complete it. The parent says, “It’s like they’ve given up on trying.” What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel pressured to fit in with their peers and say, “I feel like I have to be someone I’m not just to be accepted.” They report feeling exhausted by these efforts. What is the best intervention?

A parent reports that their 6-year-old child has started refusing to go to school, crying every morning and saying, “I don’t want to be there.” The parent is unsure how to handle the situation. What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from substance use disorder shares that they feel judged by family members who question their sobriety. They say, “It’s like they’re just waiting for me to mess up.” What is the most effective intervention?

A parent reports that their 8-year-old child often becomes angry and throws objects when they are told “no.” The parent says, “We don’t know how to get them to calm down.” What is the best intervention?

A parent reports that their 6-year-old child often refuses to share toys with their siblings and gets upset when others touch their belongings. The parent says, “I’m worried they’ll never learn to share.” What is the best intervention?

A parent of a 6-year-old child shares that the child often throws tantrums in the grocery store, saying, “They always demand candy, and I don’t know how to make them stop.” What is the best intervention?

A client recovering from trauma shares that they feel emotionally numb and say, “I can’t seem to feel anything anymore.” They report difficulty connecting with their partner and friends. What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they often feel pressure to meet their parents’ high expectations, saying, “I feel like I’ll never be good enough.” They also describe difficulty concentrating on schoolwork due to stress. What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they feel pressure to meet their parent’s high expectations, saying, “I feel like I can never do enough.” They describe frequent arguments at home. What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client shares that they feel disconnected from their cultural identity after moving to a new country. They say, “I miss my traditions and feel like I’ve lost a part of myself.” What is the most effective intervention?

A client reports difficulty connecting with their partner after returning to work following parental leave. They say, “It feels like we’re on completely different pages.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports having frequent intrusive thoughts about worst-case scenarios. They say, “It’s like my mind just won’t stop spiraling.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A client recovering from substance use disorder shares that they feel tempted to use again when spending time with old friends. They say, “I don’t want to lose them, but I can’t trust myself around them.” What is the best intervention?

A teenager shares that they often feel overwhelmed by schoolwork and say, “I can’t focus on anything, and my mind keeps jumping from one thing to another.” What is the most appropriate intervention?

A parent of a 7-year-old child reports that the child struggles to focus on homework and often leaves tasks incomplete. The parent says, “They just don’t seem interested in anything.” What is the best intervention?

A parent reports that their 8-year-old child often refuses to do homework and argues when asked to complete chores. The parent says, “I’m tired of the constant battles.” What is the best intervention?

A client with depression shares that they have difficulty finding joy in their daily life, stating, “It’s like everything I used to love feels pointless.” What is the best intervention?

Case-Based Question: Gina, 27, has intense fears of abandonment, unstable relationships, and a history of self-harm. She also reports episodes of anger she cannot control. Which treatment has the strongest evidence base for these symptoms?

A 10-year-old child is repeatedly distracted in class, fidgety, and often interrupts peers. His parents report that he exhibits these behaviors at home as well. This clinical presentation is most consistent with:

From the perspective of Object Relations Theory, maladaptive behaviors can often be traced to:

Case-Based Question: Adrienne, a 50-year-old client, has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. She struggles with intense mood swings, fear of abandonment, and self-harm behaviors. Which therapy is empirically supported for her condition?

Which statement is true regarding confidentiality when working with minors?

When working with culturally diverse clients, a social worker’s primary goal should be to:

A social worker at a nonprofit notices that many clients lack transportation to attend job training. She campaigns for a shuttle service to be funded by local government. This demonstrates the role of:

Case-Based Question: Juan, age 18, has been arrested for vandalism and is mandated to therapy. He claims the behavior was just “for fun,” showing no remorse. He often violates rules, lacks empathy, and has a pattern of deceit. Which diagnosis might best fit this clinical picture?

Which step is first in Crisis Intervention?

Case-Based Question: Abdul, 30, emigrated to the U.S. recently. He faces cultural and language barriers, feeling isolated and anxious about job prospects. Which approach best aligns with a culturally competent social work practice?

Case-Based Question: Lucy, 19, was recently diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa. She admits to bingeing and purging at least twice a week. Which therapeutic approach is typically most effective?

A battered women’s shelter requests a social worker to provide crisis intervention for newly arrived residents. Which primary skill is most important in crisis intervention?

A social worker suspects that a child is being neglected at home due to consistent lack of supervision and inadequate food. What is the social worker’s legal and ethical obligation?

Case-Based Question: Jeannie, a 25-year-old, discloses that she experiences severe anxiety in crowds and rarely leaves her apartment, except late at night to buy essentials. This behavior suggests:

Which of the following is not part of the Diagnostic Criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in the DSM-5?

A client with severe social anxiety is avoiding job interviews due to fear of scrutiny. Which CBT method specifically involves practicing anxiety-provoking situations in small, manageable steps?

Case-Based Question: Luis, 40, meets criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder. During therapy, he repeatedly says, “I really want to change, but I’m stressed at work.” Which approach specifically targets ambivalence and strengthens commitment to change?

Case-Based Question: Michael, a 33-year-old, complains of restlessness, muscle tension, and excessive worry about everyday matters for over 8 months. He reports it’s “exhausting” and he cannot control it. The most likely diagnosis is:

A social worker is practicing mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques with a client. Which statement best describes mindfulness in therapy?

A middle school social worker organizes a lunch group where students learn conflict-resolution skills. This is an example of:

Case-Based Question: A client, Rosario, 52, lost her job of 20 years and feels she has “no identity.” She reports tearfulness, anxiety, and occasional hopelessness over the past three months. She denies any suicidal ideation. Which DSM-5 category might apply if her symptoms are tied to this job loss?

Case-Based Question: Pamela, a 24-year-old, binge drinks on weekends, leading to frequent blackouts. She has missed shifts at work and had a recent arrest for public intoxication. She says, “It’s not a problem; everyone my age parties.” Which is the best initial approach?

Case-Based Question: Maria is a 29-year-old client who presents with intense fear of social interaction and worry about being judged. She avoids speaking in meetings or attending social events. Which intervention approach would most likely be recommended for addressing social phobia (social anxiety disorder)?

Case-Based Question: Kim is a 45-year-old who feels chronically unfulfilled and is unsure about her life’s direction. She reports feeling “numb” much of the time. Which therapeutic approach specifically targets acceptance of thoughts/feelings and committed action in line with personal values?

When terminating with a client successfully completing therapy, the social worker should:

Case-Based Question: Nathan, 24, is highly concerned about contamination, washing his hands dozens of times a day. He recognizes it’s excessive but says he “can’t stop.” Which intervention is best suited for his symptoms?

Which of the following best illustrates nonmaleficence?

Case-Based Question: Ron, 36, has gambling debts and feels suicidal. He states he has an active plan to harm himself if he cannot repay his debts soon. What is the first action the social worker should take?

Case-Based Question: Lena is a 22-year-old college student referred for frequent panic attacks. She fears she is “going crazy” and avoids any situation where a panic attack might occur. What intervention is likely to help Lena address both avoidance behaviors and the catastrophic beliefs fueling her panic?

A social worker receives a subpoena for a client’s records in a custody case. The client does not want the records released. What is the best response?

A social worker suspects child abuse due to suspicious bruises. However, the parent denies wrongdoing. Legally and ethically, the social worker should:

Case-Based Question: A social worker is seeing Paula, a 55-year-old with a history of complex trauma and borderline traits. Paula often threatens to leave therapy when she feels misunderstood. Which intervention from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) would be most beneficial initially?

Case-Based Question: DeShawn, 26, is repeatedly late to sessions, claims he “forgets,” and downplays his depression. He also laughs nervously when discussing painful memories. Which psychodynamic concept might explain this behavior?

Case-Based Question: Marissa, 30, struggles with panic attacks and daily worry. She also experiences intrusive thoughts about contamination and washes her hands excessively. She recognizes this as excessive but feels unable to stop. Which diagnosis would best encompass her symptoms?

Case-Based Question: Joshua, a 15-year-old student, has been acting out in class, picking fights, and refusing to do homework. After assessment, it is noted that Joshua is dealing with harsh parenting, recent parental divorce, and low self-esteem. Which initial approach would be most effective in engaging Joshua?

Which concept from Behavioral Therapy involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase desired behavior?

A social worker in a hospital setting might fulfill the broker role by:

Case-Based Question: Vanessa, 32, complains of nightmares and severe guilt after causing a car accident that injured someone. This happened three weeks ago. She is unable to concentrate and startles easily. Which condition would a DSM-5 clinician most likely suspect?

Case-Based Question: David, a 40-year-old man, has been experiencing persistent sadness and feelings of guilt for the last six months. He has difficulty sleeping and reports feeling hopeless about the future. Based on these symptoms, what would be the most likely preliminary DSM-5 diagnosis to consider?

In the NASW Code of Ethics, which of the following is the best example of a “boundary violation”?

A social worker has personal beliefs opposing abortion. A pregnant client with limited financial means asks for guidance about terminating her pregnancy. The social worker should:

A social worker believes that a client’s persistent unemployment is primarily due to systemic oppression and discrimination in the labor market. Which theoretical perspective best aligns with this belief?

A new client reports hearing voices telling him he is worthless. He denies any suicidal plan but expresses hopelessness. The social worker should first:

In Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, the “scaling question” is used primarily to:

A client is wheelchair-bound and cannot access the second-floor therapy office easily. The social worker’s responsibility is to:

Which of the following is a key principle of Gestalt Therapy?

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, “behavioral experiments” are used to:

Which scenario demonstrates a dual relationship that might compromise professional judgment?

Which intervention is associated with Crisis Intervention theory?

A father demands that the social worker share details from his 16-year-old son’s individual therapy sessions. The son has not consented to release. Ethically, the social worker should:

A social worker meets a client with severe psychotic symptoms who is actively hallucinating. The first clinical task is to:

A social worker in an agency setting sees that new policies discriminate against certain client groups. In line with Social Justice, the social worker should:

A hospital social worker suspects that a coworker is falsifying client records. Which ethical principle guides the social worker to address this potential misconduct?

A social worker who adheres to a Humanistic perspective (e.g., Rogers) would most likely focus on:

Case-Based Question: Shawna, 30, feels worthless and experiences frequent crying spells for the past year. She has never felt manic or hypomanic. She denies any major life event triggering this mood. Which disorder is most likely?

Case-Based Question: Malik, 28, has struggled with heroin use for two years and is contemplating entering detox. He vacillates between fear of withdrawal and desire for sobriety. Which therapeutic approach is best suited to enhance his motivation to change?

A community social worker is analyzing patterns of homelessness in a region and working to propose policy changes. This role aligns most closely with:

A 67-year-old client is distressed about facing retirement and the meaning of life. According to Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages, which conflict might this client be facing?

A client reveals ongoing suicidal ideation with no immediate plan or intent but expresses hopelessness about the future. Which action should the social worker take first?

Which of the following is an example of countertransference in therapy?

Case-Based Question: Aaron, 35, complains of low mood and hopelessness. He has a consistent negative internal monologue, believing he’s “worthless.” Which core CBT strategy might help him restructure these beliefs?

A client self-identifies as LGBTQ+ and is exploring issues of coming out to family members. Which ethical principle requires that the social worker respect the client’s right to determine how and when (if at all) to come out?

Case-Based Question: Keisha, a 32-year-old who recently lost her father, reports difficulty sleeping, persistent sadness, and frequent crying spells for the past two weeks. She denies suicidal ideation and states she has supportive friends. Which initial intervention is most appropriate?

Case-Based Question: Melanie, a 48-year-old, reports frequent arguments with her teenage son and worries they’ve lost communication. She feels guilty and helpless. Which Family Therapy approach emphasizes reorganizing family structures and boundaries?

Which of the following is the primary goal of Motivational Interviewing (MI)?

A social worker uses the miracle question to help a client envision a future without the presenting problem. This question is central to:

A social worker facilitating a grief support group notices conflict between two members who have very different grieving styles. The best group leadership approach is to:

Which of the following best reflects Nonmaleficence?

In the DSM-5, Cyclothymic Disorder is characterized by:

A social worker notices that a client consistently misses sessions at the clinic. When the social worker calls to check in, the client’s parent states that they have trouble finding transportation. The social worker advocates for bus vouchers to ensure the client can attend therapy. This action demonstrates:

Case-Based Question: A social worker at a family counseling center meets Sarah, 14, who exhibits extreme anxiety and panic attacks when separated from her mother. She refuses overnight visits with relatives and insists her mother stay close by at all times. Which diagnosis might be considered?

Case-Based Question: Elena, 27, recently ended an abusive relationship. She struggles with panic attacks, nightmares, and startled responses, and these symptoms have persisted for four weeks. She meets criteria for:

Which therapy model is most associated with positive reframing of a client’s situation, the “miracle question,” and focusing on client’s strengths and resources?

A community social worker wants to gather data on the prevalence of depression in a particular neighborhood. Which research method would be best for this purpose?

A female client shares with her male social worker that she feels he “judges her like her father.” The client is displaying:

Which approach focuses on the concept that individuals are the experts on their own lives, using “externalization” of problems and “re-authoring” of personal stories?

Case-Based Question: Julia, age 33, experiences episodes of binge eating followed by guilt, but she does not engage in compensatory behaviors like purging. This pattern has persisted for six months. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A client is reluctant to sign a release of information allowing the social worker to speak with a psychiatrist. The best course of action is to:

Which of the following best explains informed consent in social work?