Exam Prep Blog

DSM-5-TR: Reinstating Unspecified Mood Disorder

Over the past couple months, our social work blog has focused on the DSM-5-TR changes. The ASWB will begin testing the DSM-5-TR in January of 2024. Because we want you to be fully prepared, we're taking each of the major updates and reviewing them one at a time in our monthly social work blogs Read More

ASWB Exam: Prolonged Grief Disorder

Prolonged grief disorder Beginning January 2024, the ASWB exams will begin testing the DSM-5-TR (which was released in March of 2022). As we mentioned in last month’s blog reviewing the overall changes, the updates are relatively minor and shouldn’t be a cause for concern for those of you preparing Read More

ASWB Exam Administration Changes

Last month, the ASWB announced they will no longer use Pearson test centers and will switch to PSI testing centers in 2024. Why the Change? ASWB announced two main reasons for the change. The first being values and the second being a remote testing option. The ASWB shared that PSI better aligns with Read More

DSM-5-TR Changes for the ASWB Exams

DSM-5-TR The DSM-5-TR was released in March of 2022, and beginning in January 2024, the ASWB exams will begin testing the TR version of the DSM-5. (Through 2023, they will continue testing the DSM-5). Thankfully, the changes are relatively minor and shouldn’t cause any panic for test takers whether

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Law & Ethics Exam Prep: Dual Relationships

Today’s law and ethics exam prep topic deals with dual relationships. Dual relationships are an ethical issue in which there are two or more relationships in play at the same time between a client and a therapist, or a supervisor and a pre-licensed trainee/associate that may cause a blurring of Read More

ASWB Exam Prep: Animal Abuse Reporting

As social workers, how do we respond to animal abuse? Are we required to maintain confidentiality, or are we mandated to report? Find out in today's ASWB blog for the LMSW and LCSW exams.

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Law & Ethics Exam Prep: Issues with Colleagues

Whether therapists operate in group collectives, a hospital setting, or private practice, each of us are connected within a broader mental health community that’s upheld by supporting and regulating each other. If a colleague significantly transgresses the laws or ethics of the field, there are Read More

ASWB Exam Prep: Adoption Disruption

Last month’s blog focused on the differences between adoption dissolution and adoption disruption. We offered a FREE ASWB practice question on this topic to prepare you for your LMSW or LCSW exam. Last month’s blog feature a recall question. This month, we are back with a reasoning based question on Read More

Adoption Disruption vs. Adoption Dissolution

Adoption Dissolution vs. Disruption Adoption dissolution refers to the the ending of an adoption after it has been legally finalized. If the end of the adoption takes place before the adoption is legally finalized, this is considered a disruption. For example, if a person is in the final stages of Read More

Law and Ethics Exam Prep: Tarasoff

This month, we’re tackling the topic of duty to protect as it relates to the 1976 Tarasoff ruling by the California Supreme Court. If you’re a new therapist and you can’t remember the protocol for Tarasoff situations, you’re not alone. Most associates have little to no professional experience with

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Law and Ethics Exam Prep: Termination

The way psychotherapy concludes with a client can be a vital aspect of healing. This final stage of counseling, clinically referred to as “termination,” typically indicates when a client will transition to another clinician, take a prolonged break, or no longer receive therapy. An ideal termination Read More

ASWB Question: Parenting Styles Part 2

Last month’s ASWB exam prep blog for the LMSW and LCSW exams covered the topic of parenting styles. We reviewed the characteristics of the four main parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out last month’s blog for the Read More