LMSW Exam Prep

ASWB Prep: Transference, Countertransference and Supervision

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Sun, 02/25/2024 - 10:20am
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 for your LMSW, LCSW, or LICSW exams, these blogs are for you. This month, the focus is on transference, countertransference, and supervision. I'll be responding to the questions: What is countertransference? When should I seek supervision on the exam? When should I NOT seek supervision? What is
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2024 ASWB Exam Changes

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Wed, 01/31/2024 - 09:27am
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 good news, though. The exam content has not changed this year. Last fall, the ASWB announced a change from Pearson to PSI testing centers. While some administrative changes have occurred, the content has not. From the ASWB themselves: ‘The exam questions and scoring will remain the same.' Two Reasons
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DSM-5-TR Considerations of the impact of racism and discrimination on mental disorders

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Wed, 12/13/2023 - 08:45am
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 relatively minor overall. The final installment of our blog series on the DSM-5-TR isn’t a new or updated diagnosis. Rather, it is about the APA consulting with culture and equity professionals. Acknowledgement of Race and Discrimination in Mental Health For the first time, the DSM now acknowledges the
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DSM-5-TR Stimulant-Induced Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 08:41am
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 Disorder. And later this month, our final DSM-5-TR blog will look at the newly added considerations of the impact of racism and discrimination on mental disorders. Stimulant-Induced Mild Neurocognitive Disorder Stimulant-Induced Mild Neurocognitive Disorder was added to the types of substance-induced
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DSM-5 TR Update: Suicidal Behavior and Non-Suicidal self-Injury T and Z Codes

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Mon, 11/06/2023 - 08:00am
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 the Z codes for non-suicidal self-injury. New diagnoses? Nope! First, I want to point out that these are not diagnoses. Rather, they are part of the codes section of the DSM describing conditions that may be a focus of our clinical attention with clients (but are not themselves diagnoses). These
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DSM-5-TR: Reinstating Unspecified Mood Disorder

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Mon, 10/09/2023 - 10:39am
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 through the end of this year. Be sure to check out our first two blogs covering these changes: 1 and 2. This month’s update covers the newly reinstated diagnosis of unspecified mood disorder. What is unspecified mood disorder? Unspecified mood disorder is a diagnostic category for mood disorders that do
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ASWB Exam: Prolonged Grief Disorder

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 10:00am
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 for your social work exams. TDC’s DSM materials will be updated later this fall to ensure those of you preparing for exams in 2024 will be ready for the TR content. This month we are diving a little deeper into a new diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR: Prolonged grief disorder. Why the new diagnosis for
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ASWB Exam Administration Changes

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Thu, 09/14/2023 - 07:05pm
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 their values as an organization. Together, they plan to develop a scholarship fund for repeat test-takers. ASWB and PSI have each pledged to contribute to a fund for future outreach to and support for test-takers, particularly those from historically marginalized communities. There will be a remote
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DSM-5-TR Changes for the ASWB Exams

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Wed, 08/09/2023 - 09:15am

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 you're taking the exam this year or next. Later this year, TDC will update our LMSW and LCSW content to reflect these changes. Rest assured, whether you are taking the test this year or in 2024, we will give you everything you need to be well prepared to pass your exam with confidence. The primary

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ASWB Exam Prep: Animal Abuse Reporting

Submitted by Heidi Tobe on Mon, 07/24/2023 - 08:00am

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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