LMSW Mock Exam

Examining the teenager’s beliefs about success helps identify self-imposed pressures and informs strategies for managing stress and expectations.

Identifying the origins of travel-related anxiety helps in creating gradual, evidence-based approaches to reduce avoidance.

Consistent consequences help the child understand boundaries and reduce tantrum behaviors over time, improving both public and private interactions.

Pinpointing the emotional impact of feeling judged clarifies the client’s triggers and supports boundary-setting or coping techniques at family gatherings.

Examining the teenager’s beliefs helps identify self-imposed pressures and guides interventions to promote healthier expectations and reduce stress.

Participating in interest-based activities helps the teenager build connections with peers, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing loneliness.

Encouraging the teen to articulate their assumptions about relationships uncovers potential cognitive distortions and barriers to forming bonds.

Understanding the client’s beliefs about self-worth helps address the underlying fear of failure and supports their ability to pursue opportunities with confidence.

Addressing the teenager’s feelings about rejection helps uncover their social challenges and guides strategies for improving peer relationships.

Visual timers provide structure and predictability, helping the child develop patience and reduce impulsive interruptions.

Cognitive reframing in CBT helps clients adopt alternative perspectives. It contrasts with psychodynamic exploration of unconscious causes or narrative externalization techniques.

CBT for children helps them replace negative cognitions with more realistic ones, often in a structured way. Approaches like play therapy alone may not fully address the distorted thought patterns in childhood anxiety/depression.

Integrity in social work entails honesty, accuracy in documentation, and adherence to the profession’s values. Keeping accurate records exemplifies honesty and prevents fraudulent practices.

Reminiscence Therapy helps dementia patients recall past events, supporting identity and mental function. Dream analysis or flooding are not standard interventions for early-stage dementia.

Treating a spouse’s coworker (especially if there is significant overlap or personal ties) can pose boundary and confidentiality issues. Dual relationships blur professional objectivity.

Projection entails attributing one’s unacceptable feelings to another person—e.g., claiming someone else is angry when the individual is angry themselves. It is a classic defense mechanism.

When signs of an eating disorder are evident in a teenager, the social worker should encourage or facilitate a medical/psychological evaluation. Doing nothing until the teen asks for help could worsen their health risks.

Addressing cultural context, language barriers, and shame is critical, along with connecting the client to ESL or community resources. Merely prescribing medication or delving solely into psychodynamic issues might overlook pressing cultural and linguistic needs.

If symptoms could be due to a medical condition, referral for a medical evaluation is prudent. Social workers should not ignore potential physiological causes of mental health complaints.

Triangulation occurs when two members in conflict involve a third person to relieve tension. This is a common concept in family systems, potentially obscuring direct resolution of the original conflict.

Physiological needs (food, water, shelter) must be met before higher-level needs like belonging and esteem can be pursued. This is Maslow’s foundational principle.

Authoritarian parents enforce strict rules and high demands with little warmth or explanation, often leading to child anxiety or fear. Authoritative parenting uses structure but with warmth and open communication.

If a client’s choices conflict with the social worker’s personal values, the professional response is to respect autonomy and provide unbiased support. Imposing personal beliefs is unethical.

EMDR is evidenced-based for PTSD, helping reprocess traumatic memories. It is frequently used for combat-related PTSD and often yields significant symptom reduction.

A polite greeting that keeps the client’s confidentiality intact is appropriate. Disclosing personal details about therapy in public would breach confidentiality.

In group therapy, the clinician must clarify confidentiality at the start, noting that while the social worker is bound ethically, group members are not legally obliged in the same way. This fosters a climate of trust and mutual respect.

Triangulation in family therapy describes two members “pulling in” a third to reduce their conflict. This concept is central to systems approaches in understanding dysfunctional family dynamics.

“Attend at least one social event weekly for the next month” is observable and time-limited, making it a measurable goal. Terms like “happier” or “less negative” lack clear metrics.

Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for adolescent eating disorders frequently involves parents actively monitoring meals and ensuring nutritional stability. It empowers parents in the refeeding process and closely monitors the teen’s progress.

Motivational Interviewing directly tackles ambivalence about substance use by enhancing the client’s internal motivation for change. Behavioral Activation or psychoanalysis do not focus as sharply on ambivalence resolution.

The NASW Code of Ethics includes social justice as a core value, compelling social workers to advocate for fairness and equity, especially for oppressed groups.

DBT frequently uses group skills training modules. Hence the statement that it discourages any form of group-based skills training is false.

The NASW Code emphasizes practicing within one’s competence. If the social worker feels uncertain about complex diagnoses, it’s ethical to seek supervision or consultation rather than proceed unassisted.

Arranging housing or referrals for community living is a classic case management function. It ensures services across various domains for a client with intellectual disability.

Referral for medical assessment is vital if a thyroid disorder or other medical issue could contribute to anxiety. Dismissing medical factors without evaluation can lead to incomplete treatment.

Substance Use Disorder requires clinically significant impairment or distress, as well as a pattern of problematic use. Tolerance and withdrawal are possible but not mandatory features.

Cognitive restructuring targets automatic negative thoughts and core beliefs that underlie emotional distress. It is a fundamental technique in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Behavioral Activation involves scheduling rewarding activities, tracking avoidance, and reinforcing positive engagement. Unconscious conflict exploration is a psychodynamic element, not a hallmark of Behavioral Activation.

Feeling overly protective due to personal experiences can create boundary concerns. The social worker must address this through supervision or self-reflection to maintain professional standards.

PTSD criteria require symptoms lasting more than a month. At two months post-accident, severe symptoms disrupting daily life point to PTSD rather than a briefer acute reaction.

The macrosystem refers to broad cultural values, customs, and laws that shape all other systems. It provides the overarching societal context in Bronfenbrenner’s model.

Motivational Interviewing is well-suited to clients who minimize substance problems. It addresses denial gently and strengthens the client’s personal motivation to change.

The Strengths Perspective focuses on client resilience, competencies, and resources. Instead of emphasizing pathology, it aims to empower clients by leveraging what they already do well.

Cultural competence involves genuine curiosity about a client’s culture, values, and beliefs. Imposing or ignoring culture undermines effective, respectful practice.

Bipolar II Disorder involves at least one hypomanic episode (typically lasting at least four days) and one major depressive episode. It excludes full manic episodes (Bipolar I) and is distinct from shorter mood shifts (Cyclothymic).

Persistent distrust and suspicion are characteristic of Paranoid Personality Disorder, a Cluster A condition. Cluster B (e.g., borderline, narcissistic) features dramatic, erratic behaviors.

Extinction in Behavioral Therapy involves removing reinforcement to diminish a previously learned response. Over time, the behavior lessens or ceases altogether.

Bipolar I Disorder remains the correct ongoing classification for clients with a history of true mania, even if they are currently stable on medication. Major Depressive Disorder lacks manic episodes.

“Are you feeling sad?” is a closed-ended question that can be answered with “yes” or “no,” limiting exploration. Open-ended questions better invite in-depth discussion.

Behavioral Activation encourages scheduling activities that bring pleasure or a sense of accomplishment. This combats the inactivity and withdrawal that reinforce depression.

The exosystem includes settings not directly involving the individual but that still influence their development, such as a parent’s workplace. Changes there can indirectly affect the person’s daily life.

Behavior Therapy hinges on the principle that maladaptive behaviors are learned and can be unlearned via reinforcement strategies or exposure. It does not dive deeply into unconscious motivations.

In play therapy, the social worker provides a safe environment for children to express themselves symbolically. Constantly interpreting the child’s play can hamper the child’s spontaneous self-expression.

The social worker should seek specialized training or supervision for group facilitation with domestic violence survivors. Ethical practice demands competence, and this is especially important with sensitive populations.

Acute Stress Disorder occurs from three days to one month following a traumatic event (e.g., burglary). If symptoms last over a month, PTSD becomes the more likely diagnosis.

Memory lapses and difficulty with daily tasks over a year could suggest a Neurocognitive Disorder (dementia). Substance use or other issues can also be assessed, but dementia is a key consideration.

Task-Centered Practice focuses on jointly defining problems and agreeing on short-term tasks that address them. The approach is time-limited and goal-driven.

HIPAA applies to the privacy and security of both mental and physical health information. It outlines strict standards for storing, sharing, and handling protected health information.

Without a signed release, the social worker can only provide general guidance, not specific details about the client. Confidentiality extends to other professionals unless waived by the client or required by law.

Seeking consultation or supervision ensures the social worker provides culturally sensitive care. Refusal to see the client or forcing them to adopt mainstream norms would be unethical.

Having a romantic or sexual relationship with a current client is a serious ethical violation. Even with ex-clients, the Code of Ethics typically advises against or heavily cautions such relationships.

Systematic desensitization gradually pairs exposure to spider-related cues with relaxation. This lowers the client’s anxiety threshold step by step.

Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and ongoing worry about additional attacks. GAD focuses on persistent worry about multiple life areas, not acute panic episodes.

A longitudinal experimental design with a control group is best for assessing program effectiveness over time, allowing comparison between participants receiving the intervention and those who do not. Single-subject or correlational studies offer less robust evidence of causality.

Play therapy helps children express complex emotions via play rather than direct verbal discussion. It’s typically the most developmentally appropriate intervention for a 6-year-old presenting with behavioral issues.

Identity vs. Role Confusion is the adolescent stage in Erikson’s model. Teens explore identity, values, and goals, risking confusion if they fail to form a coherent sense of self.

Secondary traumatic stress (compassion fatigue) stems from cumulative exposure to clients’ traumatic experiences. The social worker’s nightmares and emotional fatigue about the client’s trauma are hallmark indicators.

Justice ensures fair treatment and resource access for all clients. Social workers challenge discrimination to promote equitable services.

Adjustment Disorder applies to emotional or behavioral symptoms within three months of a stressor (like a new job), lasting no longer than six months after the stressor ends. Major Depressive Disorder typically is not so closely tied to a single recent event.

Systematic desensitization involves gradually exposing a client to feared stimuli while teaching relaxation. This stepwise process reduces anxiety over time and is a hallmark of behavioral therapy.

Illness Anxiety Disorder is characterized by preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, despite minimal or no somatic symptoms. Somatic Symptom Disorder typically includes more prominent physical complaints.

Validating Sasha’s fear and collaboratively planning with school personnel ensures her safety. Immediate confrontation of the bully or contacting their parents without a plan could endanger Sasha further.

SFBT is brief, centered on future goals, and leverages existing strengths and resources. Techniques like scaling and miracle questions are distinctive elements.

Mandated reporters must contact adult protective services (for elder abuse) or child protective services (for child abuse) upon “reasonable suspicion.” Waiting for unequivocal proof can put vulnerable individuals at greater risk.

Educating Kendra about cardiac rehab and informing her about job protection (e.g., FMLA) addresses her immediate worries. Intervening at this level promotes empowerment and reduces anxiety.

A group leader must address threatening remarks promptly, establishing clear safety rules. Allowing threats to persist endangers the group and impedes therapeutic progress.

Complex ethical dilemmas, especially involving minors and life-sustaining treatment, often require consultation with an ethics committee or supervisor. This ensures decisions are well-informed and ethically sound.

Cultural humility encourages continual self-evaluation, learning, and respect for the client’s cultural identity. Acting as an “expert” on their culture can lead to oversimplified or incorrect assumptions.

Schizophreniform Disorder features psychotic symptoms that last more than one month but under six months, without mood symptoms. If symptoms persist beyond six months, Schizophrenia is likely.

Beck’s Cognitive Theory of Depression concentrates on negative self-schemas, cognitive distortions, and automatic thoughts. Transference resolution is more central to psychodynamic frameworks.

Person-in-environment conceptualizes the individual within interconnected social, economic, and cultural contexts. It guides holistic assessments and interventions.

Burnout features emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced accomplishment due to prolonged job stress. It is distinct from secondary traumatic stress, which involves taking on trauma from clients.

If a social worker is offended by a client’s views, self-reflection or supervision is needed to maintain professional neutrality. Confronting or imposing personal views violates the therapeutic alliance.

Paper files must be stored in locked cabinets with restricted access to maintain confidentiality. Leaving them in open areas breaches privacy requirements.

In CBT, cognitive restructuring targets negative beliefs (e.g., fear of failure) as a first step. Insight into childhood or group therapy with coworkers might come later if needed.

Sharing personal, irrelevant issues in a clinical supervision context is unproductive. Effective supervision centers on professional development, case consultation, and ethical practice.

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unresolved childhood conflicts and their influence on present relationships. Greg’s father’s criticism could underlie Greg’s excessive sensitivity and controlling behavior.

Confidentiality can be breached only if there is imminent risk of harm (to self or others) or a legal requirement (e.g., mandated reporting). Simply requesting information or believing it’s “best for the client” does not suffice.

A clinician should not reinforce or agree with a client’s delusions. Gently challenging or using reality testing is more appropriate, along with empathy for the client’s emotional experience.

Self-Determination (or autonomy) is a core social work ethic, giving clients the right to make decisions about their own lives. Competence, dignity, and service are also essential but do not specifically address decision-making power.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is empirically supported for clients with borderline traits (emotional lability, impulsive behavior, self-harm). It provides structured skills and validation.

Externalization in Narrative Therapy separates the problem from the person (e.g., “the depression” vs. “my depression”), reducing blame and opening space for new solutions.

When a colleague is engaged in unethical conduct (e.g., falsifying notes), the Code directs social workers to address it under “social workers’ ethical responsibilities to colleagues.” They may need to report or confront the colleague in accordance with agency policy.

Reflective listening summarizes the client’s words, helping them hear their own feelings and reasons more clearly. Providing advice or personal experiences too soon can disrupt the client’s processing.

Reflective listening in MI is used to validate and explore the client’s ambivalence. It paves the way for deeper self-exploration and aligns with MI’s empathic, client-centered style.

Providing grief counseling, funeral planning assistance, and resource coordination at hospice is case management. It addresses practical and emotional needs in tandem.

Exposure therapy is typically rooted in behavioral or cognitive-behavioral principles. Humanistic, psychodynamic, or family systems models do not emphasize systematic exposure as the main technique.

Structural Family Therapy focuses on realigning boundaries and hierarchies within the family system. By examining the parental structure, the therapist can address conflict that leads a teen to run away.

If low mood arises in response to a clear stressor (the broken engagement) and lasts under six months, Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood is most likely. Major Depressive Disorder is more pervasive and not always tied to a single event.

For acute stress and anxiety related to job loss, supportive therapy combined with practical problem-solving provides immediate relief. EMDR or family therapy might be considered later, but the initial step is to stabilize the client’s current stressors.

Rebecca’s anxiety stems from feeling misunderstood in a culture that heavily prioritizes sexual relationships. The therapist’s first priority is to validate her identity and equip her with resources to assert her boundaries and self-understanding. Hormone testing or “exposure therapy” to sexual content can pathologize her asexuality, which is an orientation rather than a symptom. By offering psychoeducation, the clinician reduces stigma and helps her find healthier ways to navigate social contexts. This approach bolsters self-esteem and reduces isolation.

A thorough assessment is essential before jumping to any conclusions or interventions. It allows the clinician to evaluate Tasha’s emotional state, physical health, substance use history, social factors, and family context. By gathering this information, the social worker or therapist can differentiate between a mental health issue (e.g., depression, anxiety), a possible hidden substance use issue, or other stressors impacting attendance. Ruling out or confirming these factors directs an appropriate treatment plan. Hence, an initial biopsychosocial assessment is the cornerstone of effective intervention.

Gambling addiction frequently involves cognitive distortions, such as a “magical” belief in a big win. REBT directly challenges these irrational thoughts, helping Regina see the logical flaws and negative consequences. By teaching her to replace these beliefs with more reality-based thinking, the compulsion to gamble weakens. Empathizing alone or relying solely on spirituality may not address the core distortions. REBT’s focus on disputing and restructuring faulty beliefs is central to managing gambling urges.

Alonzo’s reluctance to engage arises partly from stigma and personal beliefs about vulnerability. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered approach that helps him reflect on these beliefs and ambivalence without direct confrontation. By eliciting his own reasons for seeking relief (e.g., improving relationships, reducing irritability), MI can gently lower his defenses. This method respects his autonomy while encouraging him to see the benefits of further intervention. As he becomes more open, trauma-focused treatments can be introduced.

TF-CBT is specifically designed to help clients process traumatic experiences in a structured, evidence-based way. It combines psychoeducation, gradual exposure to trauma reminders, and cognitive restructuring of negative beliefs. By targeting both the emotional and behavioral consequences of sexual assault, Cynthia can regain a sense of safety and improve her daily functioning. Family or marital therapy isn’t relevant since her immediate issue stems from unresolved trauma. TF-CBT’s proven efficacy makes it a primary choice for individuals with anxiety and PTSD symptoms post-assault.

Adolescents often defend substance use as a coping mechanism and resist direct demands to stop. Motivational Interviewing (MI) meets Leo where he is, exploring both the perceived benefits and the potential harms of continued use. This non-confrontational style fosters trust and encourages him to consider reasons for change on his own. Mandating abstinence contracts or immediate rehab may backfire if his ambivalence remains unaddressed. MI is a proven strategy to initiate genuine interest in reducing or stopping substance use.

Eileen is experiencing high caregiver burden, leading to burnout and self-neglect. Psychoeducation on boundary setting, stress management, and respite care can reduce her guilt and improve her own well-being. Addressing these issues helps maintain a healthier caregiver–patient dynamic while honoring her father’s needs. Focusing solely on the father’s directives or immediate placement sidesteps Eileen’s emotional struggles. By supporting her and encouraging a balanced approach, the clinician can mitigate long-term caregiver stress.

ACT is a multidisciplinary, outreach-based model proven effective for clients with severe mental illness who resist standard outpatient services. It provides wraparound support, including medication management, therapy, and crisis intervention, in the client’s environment. This decreases the need for Daniel to come to an office he mistrusts and offers consistent monitoring of his symptoms. Involuntary commitment is not automatically indicated unless he’s a danger to self or others. ACT emphasizes relationship-building, which can improve adherence over time.

ACT provides intensive, in-home or community-based monitoring for individuals struggling with treatment adherence. The multidisciplinary team can help Natalie manage medication consistency, watch for early signs of mania or depression, and address impulsive spending in real time. Regular contact minimizes relapse and ensures she doesn’t drop out of treatment when mood symptoms fluctuate. Family therapy alone won’t address her cyclical instability, especially if she refuses standard outpatient care. ACT is a well-established model for severe mental illness and chronic non-adherence.

CBT is evidence-based for reducing recidivism in individuals with antisocial behaviors. It targets the thought processes and attitudes that normalize or justify manipulation and aggression. By challenging Omar’s belief system and teaching prosocial alternatives, CBT can instill accountability and emotional regulation. Person-centered or purely insight-oriented therapies generally have less impact on entrenched antisocial traits. A structured CBT approach can address criminal thinking patterns and lower repeat offenses.

Children with suspected RAD benefit from safe, attuned caregiving that fosters trust and security. Play therapy allows Benny to express difficult emotions and experiences indirectly and safely. Strict or punitive measures often exacerbate attachment issues, while consistent responsiveness helps repair disrupted attachment patterns. Talking about trauma directly might be overwhelming at this stage. Combining therapeutic play with a stable environment best promotes emotional regulation and healthier relationships.

Hoarding is classified under the obsessive-compulsive spectrum, and specialized forms of ERP are often effective. ERP helps Javier face the anxiety of discarding or organizing items (exposure) while learning not to perform safety behaviors that perpetuate clutter (response prevention). Over time, he develops tolerance to the distress, reducing the compulsive need to hoard. While a professional organizer or crisis approach might be helpful adjuncts, clinically guided ERP addresses the root cognitive-behavioral patterns. This approach has the strongest evidence base for hoarding-related OCD symptoms.

A trauma-informed perspective acknowledges Beatrice’s experiences while avoiding pathologizing labels she fears. Incorporating strengths-based techniques recognizes her resilience and motivation to continue humanitarian work, providing a balanced framework. This validates the reality of her distress without forcing a rigid identity of “being traumatized.” Over time, gentle processing of guilt, nightmares, and self-blame can occur once she feels safe and respected. Immediate hospitalization or forced labeling could alienate her from seeking needed support.

Susan’s obsessive thoughts and impulsive confrontations suggest a need to identify and challenge the cognitive distortions fueling her jealousy. CBT teaches clients to track triggers, evaluate the accuracy of their beliefs, and develop healthier coping strategies. Thought monitoring can help her detect escalating obsessions before they result in confrontational behavior. Psychodynamic exploration might help in the long term, but the most pressing issue is to reduce immediate maladaptive patterns. By practicing CBT skills, Susan can learn to self-regulate more effectively.

Intrusive thoughts without a genuine desire to act can be indicative of postpartum OCD rather than postpartum psychosis. A specialized assessment clarifies if these thoughts stem from obsessive anxiety rather than a delusional or psychotic condition. Early identification ensures Miranda receives appropriate treatment—often including CBT techniques tailored to postpartum OCD. Overreacting by separating her from the child or dismissing her fears would be counterproductive. Proper assessment is the critical first step to reduce her shame, fear, and avoidance.

Marcus’s passive suicidal ideation and auditory hallucinations point to a heightened level of risk. Before focusing on grief therapy alone, immediate safety is paramount. A comprehensive risk assessment explores intent, means, and protective factors, guiding whether crisis intervention (e.g., hospitalization, safety planning) is required. Once stabilized, more specialized grief interventions can follow. Securing his safety and addressing suicidal risk ensures he can then fully engage in treatment for complicated grief.

Anytime suicidal feelings are reported, immediate risk assessment and safety planning are paramount. Cyberbullying can escalate quickly, heightening hopelessness. Ensuring Clint has resources, emergency contacts, and coping strategies in place can stabilize him before addressing the bullying long-term. While changing schools or taking a social media break might help, it does not replace the urgent need to evaluate his risk of self-harm. A clear safety plan can then open the door to ongoing therapy and family involvement.

Since Aurora is reluctant to discontinue psychedelics entirely, a harm reduction strategy is more likely to keep her engaged than strict abstinence demands. This approach acknowledges her autonomy while striving to minimize harmful consequences—e.g., setting safer usage limits, having a sober companion, or identifying high-risk situations. Immediate confrontation or forced hospitalization can damage rapport and push her away from help. Over time, harm reduction can build trust, allowing her to consider other supportive treatments. Safety and realistic goals take priority over imposing complete abstinence if she’s not ready.

EFT addresses the deep emotional and attachment underpinnings of couple conflicts, rather than focusing solely on superficial behavioral issues. Through EFT, they can learn to identify, articulate, and respond to each other’s attachment needs. By transforming negative interaction cycles into more secure bonds, sexual issues often improve alongside emotional re-connection. Focusing on simple problem-solving or purely physical interventions would likely overlook the underlying emotional ruptures. EFT offers a structured, evidence-based process for rekindling trust and intimacy.

CBT-E addresses both the cognitions (e.g., perfectionism, guilt) and the behavioral cycle of bingeing and purging. It is specifically tailored to disrupt distorted thoughts about body image and food while establishing healthier coping strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or Narrative Therapy might assist in certain emotional or identity components, but CBT-E is widely recognized as a first-line intervention for eating disorders. Desiree’s perfectionistic tendencies and intense guilt can be effectively challenged within this protocol. With CBT-E, she gains structure and a clear plan to reduce and ultimately cease dangerous behaviors.