Exam Prep Blog

Studying for the LCSW or MFT Exam? Let's take a look at Substance Use, Abuse & Dependence

By Bethany Vanderbilt on February 29, 2012

It's Hot Topics Tuesday and this week we're looking at substance abuse. Regardless of what setting you work in or the population that you work with, you will come across clients who are dealing with the ill effects of substance use, abuse or dependence. Here’s how it might come up in a test item

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LCSW & MFT Exam Prep: What Do You Need To Know About Crisis Intervention?

By Bethany Vanderbilt on February 22, 2012

At my last job, I was fortunate to be trained in crisis intervention and treatment, an extremely useful skill in the world of clinical practice. Regardless of where you work or what population you work with, encountering a client in crisis is inevitable. It’s also inevitable on the licensure exam –

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LCSW & MFT Exam Prep: Understanding Danger to Others

By Bethany Vanderbilt on February 15, 2012

I know, I know, it's Valentine's Day, who wants to hear about Danger to Others? BUT, the Therapist Development Center loves all of the therapists out there who are making the commitment to grow professionally by becoming licensed! Danger to Others is another topic that test-makerI know, I know, it's

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Preparing for the MFT & LCSW Exam: Exploring Suicide & Self-Harm

By Bethany Vanderbilt on February 8, 2012

If you’re getting ready to take the LCSW Exam or MFT Exam, this blog is for you! This week, we’re taking a closer look at the topic of Suicide/Self Harm. This is an extremely important topic, not only because it’s bound to come up on the LCSW exam, but also because it’s so critical to client safety

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Studying for the LCSW Exam & MFT Exam: Domestic Violence

By Bethany Vanderbilt on February 1, 2012

Alright Social Work Exam- and MFT Exam-Takers, it’s Tuesday, time for another Hot Topic. This week we’re taking a brief look at Domestic Violence. Let’s take a closer look at a possible test item. Sample Question: A woman is referred to her EAP for frequent absences and difficulty completing

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Preparing for the LCSW Exam and MFT Exam: Abuse & Neglect of Elderly & Dependent Clients

By Bethany Vanderbilt on January 25, 2012

It’s Hot Topics Tuesday! We’re going to continue the LCSW/MFT Exam Hot Topics Blog with a review of Abuse and Neglect of Elderly/Dependent clients. Here’s how it might show up in a test item: Sample Question: A hospital social worker is called to the emergency room and asked to evaluate an 82 year

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Child Neglect - What you need to know for the MFT and Social Work Exam

By Bethany Vanderbilt on January 18, 2012

Alright folks, we’re kicking off the LCSW & MFT Exam Hot Topics Blog with a review of Child Neglect. How would neglect show up in a test item? Here’s a sample question: Sample Question: During an initial assessment with a 7-year-old boy, a therapist observes that the boy is small in stature and

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LCSW & MFT Exam Prep | Welcome to the Hot Topics Blog!

By Bethany Vanderbilt on January 11, 2012

Hello, and welcome to The Therapist Development Center's LCSW & MFT Exam Hot Topics Blog! Each week, we'll use this blog to explore one of our Top 50 topics and how it might appear in test items. We'll begin next week with Topic #1: Child Abuse & Neglect. Curious about our Top 50? Check out the LCSW

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The TDC Passing Rates for the LCSW and MFT Exams: 2011 in Review

By Amanda Rowan on January 10, 2012

A few days before the New Year I received this email: Hi Amanda! Hope you are enjoying your vacation! I just wanted to let you know that I took the MFT CV Exam today, Dec 29th, and I passed!!! Thank you so much!!! Everything that I learned from you truly helped me - especially the framing questions

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Taming the Beast: How to Pass the California LCSW & MFT Clinical Vingette Exam

By Amanda Rowan on December 28, 2011

ANXIETY. That is what I hear in the voices of most of the people who contact me for coaching on the LCSW and MFT Clinical Vignette Exam. Fear and anxiety. Especially if they have taken the exam before and failed. The test is like a wild animal, it can smell fear the moment you walk in that PSI

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Getting (your brain) in Shape to Pass the LCSW and MFT Exam

By Amanda Rowan on December 10, 2011

Preparing to take the clinical exam is a daunting process. Many people spend a few weeks paralyzed by the prospect of just getting started. They have logged and logged their hours, only to be faced with the reality that they have to start studying. Getting organized is one of the most important

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Our Coaching Philosophy | Preparing you to Pass the LCSW & MFT Exam

By Amanda Rowan on October 20, 2011

I talk to a lot of people who have taken the LCSW or MFT exam many times and complain that they had memorized everything and they still didn't pass. The word "memorize" tips me off right away -- these people weren't coached, they were trained. What's the difference? The difference is subtle but very

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