ASWB ASWB Certifications LCSW Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  Clinical social work interventions often require therapyto help a client overcome dysfunctional thinking. A professional would start by identifying assumptions the indMdual makes and locate those thoughts that are unrealistic. What form of therapy is being described?

  A. Behavior therapy

  B. Reality therapy

  C. Cognitive therapy

  D. Antipathy therapy

  Correct Answer: C

  Cognitive therapy helps a client identify distorted thoughts, modify and change behaviors. Once an indMdual is fully aware of these feelings, change comes easily and one can begin to relate with others in different ways.

• Question 2:

  Professionals often utilize an approach to treat mental health that deals with imagery. Studies show that a mind can spontaneously generate pictures, providing insight into solutions and reactions. Sex offenders have found positive results with this method.

  A. Behavioral conditioning

  B. Guided imagery

  C. Structured imagination

  D. Behavioral imagery

  Correct Answer: B

  Guided imagery is an approach that deals with behavior modification through the use of inner experience. Imagery can be utilized as a type of mental rehearsal, seeing the result before it happens.

• Question 3:

  Group therapy is intended to help clients associate with other indMduals dealing with the same conflicts or problems. An indMdual can share feelings and thoughts while others provide feedback. One specific type of group therapy helps clients having difficulties coping with problems in their lives. The goal is to improve personal development and solve emotional dilemmas. What form of group therapy is being described?

  A. Client-centered

  B. Psychotherapy

  C. Cognitive therapy

  D. Behaviour therapy

  Correct Answer: B

  Psychotherapy focuses on relationship problems and interpersonal interactions. The clinical social worker chooses participants based on a common need. Many indMduals benefit greatly from this form of treatment and tend become a useful influence on others within the group.

• Question 4:

  Clinical social workers that provide one-on-one therapy determine evaluation strategies around the cIient's specific needs. This client-centered approach compares the current situation to the one upon entry of counseling. The professional utilizes the indMdual as his/her own control group, making changes as necessary. What does this type of evaluation take into consideration?

  A. Ethnicity

  B. Income level

  C. Educational level

  D. All of the above

  Correct Answer: D

  Client-centered evaluation also considers the cIient's gender and sexual orientation. These factors guide how decisions will be made. A clinical social worker can utilize the information to determine if therapy should proceed as planned, change due to deteriorating circumstances or begin termination due to stable goals being met.

• Question 5:

  The immediacy of crisis intervention ensures the safety of an indMdual and his/her family. Clinical social workers often find resistance as being a response from the victim. There are three phases professionals follow when intervening. The first involves establishing rapport with the indMdual through empathy, while the second includes gathering information for assessment. What is thethird phase?

  A. Setting a goal to return to the pre-crisis level offunctioning.

  B. Averting the crisis

  C. Determining what the crisis means

  D. Determining who will be affected by the crisis

  Correct Answer: A

  Clinical social workers understand the importance of helping victims recover from a crisis. It is an important domain within the healing process. IndMduals want to gain stability in their lives and prevent further victimization. For crisis intervention to be successful, it should be practiced in a structured, humanistic manner.

• Question 6:

  Logan has sought the help of a clinical social worker for his generalized anxiety disorder. The professional determines that oognitive behavioral therapy will help the client successfully overcome the problem. Logan demonstrates maladaptive interactions among physiological response systems in the form of avoidance and slowed decision-making. What is the foundation of cognitive behavioral therapy based upon?

  A. Self-monitoring

  B. Physician's assessment

  C. Group therapy

  D. Perceptions of the world

  Correct Answer: A

  A clinical social worker will recommend that Logan notes patterns of anxiety levels. Anytime the client gets worried or demonstrates behavioral avoidance, this should be documented. As Logan becomes aware of the anxiety cues, he will learn to initiate learned coping responses.

• Question 7:

  Conflict resolution is an area that clinical social workers find themselves practicing frequently. One such technique that professionals are often called upon to perform, involves helping clients solve problems and engage in empowerment. What application builds on communication, problem analysis and intervention?

  A. Organizational development

  B. Mediation

  C. Family resolution

  D. Transformative goals

  Correct Answer: B

  A clinical social worker practicing as mediator will structure the problem-soMng process. This will involve education, information organization and suggested options for developing proposals. Nlediation assessments are generally short-term with interest-based problem soMng goals.

• Question 8:

  Goals play a major role in effective treatment planning by shifting the focus from what a client cannot do, ASWB [GSW Erram to what can be successfully accomplished. The importance is the ability to track an indMduaI's progress towards problem solutions. Goals are also productive for increasing a cIient's awareness of choices and allowing them full participation in the therapeutic process. Self-determined goals are consistent with what perspective?

  A. Personification

  B. Self-awareness

  C. Strengths-based

  D. Conflict resolution

  Correct Answer: C

  Clients require a clear indicator of wellness during treatment. Establishing goals emphasizes self-determination and empowerment. IndMduals are able to associate with treatment, participation and evaluation. Goals hold clients accountable for making better choices and enhancing their lives.

• Question 9:

  Clinical social workers will have success with self-determined goals when the client feels it is within their capacity. Commitment can be obtained when the indMdual feels the goal is important through their active participation. Performance is affected through four mechanisms. Which of thefollowing is not related?

  A. leads to the discovery of task-relevant knowledge

  B. persistence

  C. attention is moved away from irrelevant actMties

  D. acknowledgement of interaction

  Correct Answer: D

  The fourth mechanism is the energizing function. This theory also recognizes the relevance of task performance based on goal commitment, feedback and self-efficacy. It is the focus of the clinical social worker to ensure the goal set forth by the client is attainable.

• Question 10:

  When clinical social work services have been terminated, this does not mean that treatment has necessarily ended. Many clients will require long-term supportive care to ensure stability. With these factors in mind, there are two elements to the definition of termination. The first is the accomplished improvements that can be maintained on an on-going basis by case managers. The second includes:

  A. Achievement of predefined treatment goals

  B. Collaboration with long-term care providers

  C. Recommendations by third-party providers

  D. Education ofthird party entities

  Correct Answer: A

  When clients feel they have successfully met the definition of termination, they may end services. Clinical social workers are still responsible for helping the indMdual locate on-going support, if necessary, and provide further care if the client so desires.