ASWB Masters Exam 2019

A female client comes to see a social worker to discuss her relationship issues. According

to the psychosocial perspective, the social worker should:

(A) have her tell you about the issues affecting her life

(B) begin training behavioral techniques

(C) provide a referral to a psychologist for testing

(D) refer to a marriage and family therapist - ✔✔The correct answer is A

Always take time to listen and explore your clients' needs and feelings.

Exploration and learning are vital parts of the beginning of therapy. Clients often need to feel

heard and

understood. Often, you may be the only person in their life who will listen and hear their

feelings,

thoughts, ideas, etc.

B IS INCORRECT Training behavioral techniques is a very specific process for use with very

limited

modalities of treatment. It is generally considered a specialty and should not be used by anyone

without the proper training.

C IS INCORRECT There is nothing specific here that you cannot handle. Psychologists are

necessary

for testing and certain functions.

D IS INCORRECT This is not a specialization issue. You can always refer later.

As a new clinical social worker you find yourself being told by your supervisor you need to

be more confrontational. This seems at odds with the social work mission, until you

supervisor explains the primary purpose of confrontation is to:

A) demonstrate accurate understanding

B) help a client change her view of a problem

C) make a client aware of inconsistencies

D) help the client identify alternatives to her present behavior - ✔✔The correct answer is C

Client's often have inconsistent views and values concerning a specific

problem. This is a HUMAN problem we all fight with. Conflicts between what a client 'thinks'

should be

the solution and what the actual solution will be is the bread and butter of therapy. Just because

we

know we should do something does not mean we will act in the appropriate manner. (Think

about

cigarette smoking as an example)

A is INCORRECT. You demonstrate an accurate understanding by reflective listening (telling

the client

what you think you heard them say) and by asking questions for clarification. This response back

to the

client is the primary component of active listening. Rather than passively saying...Uh huh...

B is INCORRECT. This is the ultimate goal of many therapies and an end result you should

always look

to achieve. However, there are many ways to achieve it without confrontation.

D is INCORRECT This is definitely a part of therapy. Helping client's see alternatives and

supporting

them in their attempts to change their behavior is very powerful therapeutic intervention. But

there are

more ways to achieve this than through confrontation.

In an initial session with a social worker, a client mentions having been hospitalized several

times

for depression. When the social worker attempts to explore the hospitalizations, the client

becomes tense and guarded, saying "it's old history". The client refuses to give permission for the

records to be released. The social worker should FIRST:

(A) explore why this topic appears to be upsetting the client

(B) acknowledge the client's right to decide about release of records

(C) reassure the client that the focus will be on present issues

(D) assess the client's current level of depression - ✔✔(B) acknowledge the client's right to

decide about release of records

When faced by a hostile client in an agency setting, it is BEST for the social worker to:

(A) suggest that the client's attitude is making the situation worse

(B) accept the client's hostility and talk about nonthreatening topics

(C) set limits and structure on the interview session

(D) acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage discussion of them - ✔✔(D) acknowledge

the client's feelings and encourage discussion of them

A client who has received services for several years in a dialysis unit appears for a routine visit.

The nurse notices a markedly changed affect and refers the client to the social worker. When

seeing the social worker, the client seems detached, self-absorbed, and tearful. The social worker

should FIRST assess the client's:

(A) life situation and recent changes

(B) compliance with medical care

(C) concerns about dying

(D) feelings about dialysis - ✔✔(A) life situation and recent changes

During Mrs. S's first appointment in a family agency, the social worker encourages her to

express

her feelings about the recent placement of her child in a residential facility for the

developmentally disabled. Mrs. S talks at length instead about her physical health problems. The

social worker should:

(A) use Mrs. S's remarks about her health to identify unresolved parenting issues

(B) refocus the interview on the child's behavior and the reason for the residential placement

(C) explore with Mrs. S how her health problems are related to the recent placement of her

child

(D) listen to Mrs. S's description of her health as a beginning of a relationship and means of

assessing her self-perception - ✔✔(D) listen to Mrs. S's description of her health as a beginning

of a relationship and means of

assessing her self-perception