As a coach, there are few exam topics I hear people express greater distaste for than the dreaded topic of research & the differences between independent variables vs dependent variables (which you will almost always see show up on the … Continued

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There is no question, the LMFT and LCSW board exams are challenging. They are also considered big hurdles that you must successfully jump over while on your path to licensure. These two facts combined make it far more likely that … Continued

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Yesterday we discussed the topic of Self-Determination including a FREE Law and Ethics practice question to help you get prepared for your MFT or LCSW Law and Ethics exam. Let us take a look at the answer and the rationale: … Continued

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Yesterday we discussed Piaget’s Preoperational stage of development, including a FREE ASWB practice question to help you get prepared for your LMSW and LCSW exams. Did you get it right? ASWB Practice Question: Each of the following is characteristic of … Continued

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Yesterday we explored the differences between the defense mechanisms introjection/internalization and identification. These can be difficult ones to distinguish, so if you haven’t already, we encourage you to check out yesterday’s blog post! Today we have a discussion of the answer and rationale for yesterday’s practice question.

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Introjection/Internalization and Identification As an LCSW and LMSW exam coach, there are no defense mechanisms I get more emails and questions about than introjection/internalization and identification. Introjection and internaization are used pretty interchangeably on the exam, so going forward in this blog I will just use ‘identification’ for the sake of simplicity. There is a lot of confusion out there regarding the differences between these defense mechanisms, and our hope is that today’s blog will help you distinguish between these as you prepare for your LCSW and LMSW exams!

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Negative Reinforcement vs. Positive Reinforcment In yesterday’s blog, we explored the topic of behavioral reinforcement, differentiating between negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, and punishment. If you haven’t had a chance to check out yesterday’s blog, we encourage you to do so! Did you get yesterday’s question correct? Read on to find out!

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Negative Reinforcement vs. Positive Reinforcement Reinforcement is a topic that could very well show up on your LMSW or LCSW exam and is one that tends to trip many of us up. Because of our strong associations with the words negative (bad) and positive (good), it is all too easy to be thrown off by these otherwise straightforward questions on the LCSW and LMSW exams. When it comes to reinforcement, it is crucial to keep in mind that negative does not mean bad and positive does not mean good. Let me repeat that: when it comes to reinforcement on the LCSW and LMSW exams, negative does not mean bad and positive does not mean good. In the context of this term, negative reinforcement refers to taking something away and positive reinforcement refers to adding something. Negative=taking something away; Positive=adding something. Because of these associations, people often confuse negative reinforcement and punishment on the exam, despite the fact that these are two very different concepts. Let’s spend a little time looking at these three concepts.

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In our FREE ASWB practice question blog yesterday, we explored the topic of couples counseling, specifically looking at what to do when domestic violence is disclosed. Did you answer this practice question correctly? Find out below as we share the answer and rationale!

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Couples therapy is a topic the ASWB loves to put on their licensing exams. This can be a challenging area for many people preparing to test, as a lot of us do not have any experience engaging in couples work. One of the areas within couples therapy they like to assess your knowledge and skill on is what you would do if a couple divulges physical or emotional abuse to you. Do you know what to do when this occurs? This is important subject matter for both the exam and your practice should you ever encounter it. Here’s a sample question to see if you are ready to successfully approach this topic on the exam!

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