Exam Prep Blog
Changes to the MFT and LCSW Exams in California
The rumors are true. The BBS will be changing the exam process for the MFT and LCSW exams but not until January 1, 2014. This is a change from the January 1, 2013 date that was originally proposed. In January 2013, a new registrant (MFT intern/Associate Clinical Social Worker) with the Board will be
Read MoreWhat Factors Affect Mental Health? LCSW & MFT Exam Prep
This week brings us to Factors Affecting Mental Health. Most of these factors, including environmental and psychosocial factors, are recorded on Axis IV of the DSM Multiaxial Assessment. You will see these factors in many test questions and will often be asked to prioritize interventions based on
Read MoreStudying for the LCSW or MFT Exam? Let's Understand Medical Conditions
This week, we're moving on to Axis III -- Medical Conditions. A medical condition warrants recording on Axis III of a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis when it affects the client's mental health (so if someone has diabetes, but has had it for years and is managing it well, it might not be recorded). Here's one
Read MorePreparing for the LCSW & MFT Exam: Mental Retardation
While the DSM-IV-TR considers Mental Retardation one of the Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence, we've decided to look at it as part of our tour of Axis II Disorders. Mental Retardation is on Axis II because of its lifelong trajectory and pervasive affect on
Read MoreHow to Better Understand Personality Disorders for the LCSW & MFT Exam
Ah, Personality Disorders. This category of disorders is guaranteed to come up on the exam, both in terms of differential diagnosis and in terms of treatment interventions/approaches. Let's take a look at a sample test item: Sample: A 24 year-old woman presents for an initial appointment wearing
Read MoreWhat Do You Need to Know About Sexual Disorders for the LCSW & MFT Exam?
This week, we're taking a look at Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders. It's important that you feel comfortable bringing up the issue of sex with your clients; they may present with feelings of shame, embarrassment, anger or confusion and it's essential that you demonstrate your ability to work
Read MoreLCSW & MFT Exam Prep: Let's Better Understand Health-Related Disorders
When a news story focuses on mental illness, it's often Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder that takes center stage. Recently, however, a news story put a different kind of mental illness in the spotlight, and I have to admit, for me, it's been fascinating to follow. Before
Read MoreAre You Studying for the LCSW or MFT Exam? Let's Explore Grief & Bereavement
Hey all, this week we are looking at grief and Bereavement. This topic comes up on the exam in a few ways: differential diagnosis (usually between Bereavement, Adjustment Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder); stages of grief; and the expression of grief throughout the life cycle. Here's a sample
Read MorePreparing for the LCSW & MFT Exam: Anxiety Disorders
Again, my apologies for the delay in getting the post up. This week, we’re looking at Anxiety Disorders. These can come up on the exam in a variety of ways: in reference to medications, treatment modalities, diagnoses…the list is long. Here’s a sample question to get us thinking about differential
Read MoreGetting Ready for the LCSW & MFT Exam? Let's Explore Mood Disorders
It’s Tuesday…late on Tuesday, but still Tuesday, so it’s Hot Topic time! Now that we’re into the diagnostic categories, it’s important to start looking at questions and thinking about differential diagnoses – what information do you need for an initial diagnostic impression? What are the features
Read MoreUnderstanding Psychotic Disorders in Preparation for the LCSW & MFT Exam
I don’t know about all of you out there, but until I interned on an acute inpatient psychiatric unit, I really had no idea what a person experiencing psychosis really looked like (clinically speaking). This category of disorders, distinguished by the primary symptoms of delusions, prominent
Read MorePreparing for the LCSW & MFT Exam: Disorders Usually Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence
This week’s Hot Topic is a little different – there are many clinicians out there who have never (and will never) treat or work with an infant, child, or adolescent…so why do we have to know about disorders that are usually diagnosed duriThis week’s Hot Topic is a little different – there are many
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