Exam Prep Blog

ASWB Practice Question: Supervision vs. Personal Psychotherapy

Last month’s ASWB social work blog for the LMSW and LCSW exams covered the topics of countertransference and supervision. We answered the questions: What is countertransference? When should social workers seek supervision? When do we not need to seek supervision? Today we continue our discussion on Read More

Help! Why is Elder Age Listed as 65+ in TDC Test Prep? Isn’t it 60 Years and Above?

Elder age continues to elicit questions among testers preparing for the LCSW and MFT CA Law and Ethics Exams. The source of the confusion began with AB 135, a California law that went into effect in January 2022. This law amended Chapter 13 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to state that an elder Read More

ASWB Prep: Transference, Countertransference and Supervision

As one of TDC’s LCSW coaches, I receive hundreds of questions per week from customers preparing for their social work exams. Over the next few months, our social work blogs will focus on some of the most commonly asked questions for the ASWB exam that we’ve received in 2024. Whether you're preparing Read More

Help! Can You Explain Psychotherapy Records vs. Psychotherapy Notes?

For our third installment of our new blog series, we’re addressing a question we frequently receive from associates studying for the CA MFT or LCSW law and ethics exam: What is the difference between psychotherapy records and psychotherapy notes? Let’s break it down. Psychotherapy records are mental Read More

2024 ASWB Exam Changes

As a coach, I have received a LOT of questions from test takers this month. They are wondering whether our programs are up to date for the LMSW and LCSW exams for 2024. To answer that question: Yes! Our programs are fully up-to-date for the 2024 ASWB masters and clinical level exams. There’s more Read More

2024 Changes for the LMFT & LCSW Law and Ethics Exam

Exam changes are underway. Every five years the BBS conducts an occupational analysis for each profession to ensure that exam content is up-to-date and accurately reflects clinical competency. As a result, the California LMFT and LCSW law and ethics exams will be updated beginning January 1, 2024 Read More

DSM-5-TR Considerations of the impact of racism and discrimination on mental disorders

Today is the last of our blogs on the DSM-5-TR changes (and the one I’m most eager to share about). Starting in January 2024, the ASWB exams will transition from testing the DSM-5 to the DSM-5-TR. As we’ve discussed over the past several months of blogs covering these changes, the updates are Read More

DSM-5-TR Stimulant-Induced Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

Beginning next month (can you believe it’s almost 2024?!) the ASWB will begin testing the DSM-5-TR. The past several months, we’ve been covering these updates. And, of course, all of our programs are up to date with the DSM-5-TR materials. Today’s blog covers Stimulant-Induced Mild Neurocognitive Read More

Help! When Does a Therapist Consult versus Refer Out?

We’re back with part two of our new blog series in which you ask and we answer your most popular questions related to the CA law and ethics exam. On today’s docket, we’re going to take a closer look at when therapists are expected to consult versus refer out, according to the BBS. Here’s a simple Read More

DSM-5 TR Update: Suicidal Behavior and Non-Suicidal self-Injury T and Z Codes

Beginning in January 2024, the ASWB will begin testing the current version of the DSM: the DSM-5-TR released in 2022. The past several months we’ve been covering these changes, and will continue doing so through the end of 2023. This month we look at the new T and Z codes for suicidal behavior and Read More

Help! What’s the Difference Between Privilege vs Confidentiality in Therapy?

You asked, we answered! This month, we’re launching a new series addressing commonly asked questions we receive from associates who are studying for the California law and ethics exam. One of the most requested topics centers around client information – namely, the confusion between privilege and Read More

Amanda Rowan Presenting at NASW-CA Conference!

We’re thrilled to announce Amanda Rowan is presenting at the NASW-CA Annual Conference later this month, October 20-21, in Burbank, California. Together, you’ll take a deep dive into the Edge of Life Model: Introduction to Treating Suicidality. Imagine sitting on the literal Edge of Life with your Read More