Tips Flashcards
Testing tips
- Request ear plugs, headsets and tissue
- Request to sit away from the door
- If the accommodation room is available request to use it
- Pack advil, Tylenol etc..
- Request to sit far far far away from individuals that are typing.
- Have juice or a fruit outside the testing facility.
- Pack fruit or chocolate to eat during your break.
- Use the restroom prior to testing.
- Before starting your test, write notes/ strategies on your note pad.
Tip #2
Need to be familiar with the Social working Helping Process (problem solving process) – This process is important for FISRT and NEXT questions.
First you engage with the patient, after engagement you Asses etc.….
Acronym to remember the ORDER of the helping process: EAt PIE Today 1. Engagement 2. Assessment 3. Planning 4. Intervention 5. Evaluation 6. Termination
TIP # 5 I recommend using the “5w’s” when breaking down questions.
- Where Is My Work Setting: (ex: school, hospital, community etc.)
- What is the Social Worker’s Role (school social worker, supervisor, therapist, case manager etc.)
- Who is my client (ex: parent, child, couple, group etc.. )
- What is the question asking me to do right now (firs, next, best , most, should etc..)
- What stage of treatment is my client in? ( ex: initial session, assessment, planning, termination etc.) -
Tip 19
Here are the general guidelines I use when looking at the questions regarding privilege:
1) Subpoena from the court or a judge for records, (or a court order for records): you CANNOT assert privilege here. It is your legal responsibility to provide the information to the court, and you cannot use privilege to get out of that responsibility. If you think the release could be damaging to your client, you can advocate for a limited release (limiting scope)/no release of records; however, if the court denies that request, you must provide them with everything they have asked for or else be held in contempt of court. And if you don’t have an answer option regarding advocating for the limited release, you should provide the information immediately.
2) Subpoena from a lawyer for records: the best FIRST step is to contact the client. Remember that when you are asserting privilege, you are doing it on behalf of your client. Privilege refers to the client’s right to have their records from therapy kept confidential in most circumstances. So, you would first attempt to contact the client to find out his/her wishes. Then, if contacting them isn’t an option, or if you are unable to reach them, you would assert privilege on their behalf. If you receive a subpoena from a lawyer and there is an option to consult with your agency’s legal counsel that is an okay thing to start with.
3) Subpoena for testimony: you CANNOT assert privilege here, since privilege refers to the written record only. You would want to obtain legal counsel/guidance in this case, since you cannot refuse the request.
Tip 18
The five stages of the Kübler-Ross stage model are the best-known description of the emotional and psychological responses that many people experience when faced with a life-threatening illness or life-changing situation.The stages don’t only apply to death but any life-changing event for which a loss is deeply felt, such as a divorce, the loss of a job, end of a relationship, or the loss of a home etc….
Acronym you can use to remember the stages: DABDA
5 Stages of Grief
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
Tip 14,
I received a question from one of my students and I though it would be helpful to share with the group. Question:
If my answer options are:
A) Follow state / juridicial guidelines.
B ) Follow NASW Code of ethics.
Which answer do I select?”
My response: It would be odd for them to pit these two things against each other, but you would need to follow state/jurisdictional law.
Tip 17:
I recommend reading the NASWB code of ethics 2-3x before taking the ASWB exam.
https://www.uaf.edu/socwork/student-information/checklist/(D)-NASW-Code-of-Ethics.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0y0ihOjWXYuIXaF4kBWrWGsZKiMQl6wPHPp5mJKwvaRUY9wMquHF8nCrM
“first, next, best” question that has the “priority” options of suicide risk assessment, medical clearance and validate feelings.
Such as one where client comes in for intake, speaks of overwhelming circumstances, alludes to symptoms of anxiety, depression, perhaps low energy or appetite (or some other symptom suggestive of possible physical influence).
During the exam you always asses for safety first ( suicide risk assessment) then feelings ( validate feelings) and asses.
Safety -> feeling -> asses
For test purposes, social workers do not review “ medical clearance”
On the exam you might have a questions stem stating that a client has been medically cleared.
Ex: Client is a 23 year old male who was referred to social work by his primary care provider. The client was hospitalized for 3 weeks and was medically cleared to resume outpatient therapy. During the initial assessment the client reports feeling tired, reduce appetite, lost of interest, back pain and feeling hopeless. What should the social worker do first ?
A) Refer to Primary care provider
B ) Conduct a risk assessment
C) provide emotional support surrounding hospitalization
D) Provide CBT therapy
In this scenario, if a client has been medically cleared and is reporting physical symptoms. You can eliminate A.
Tip 16
If one of your answer options is follow State guidelines. This is most likely the correct answer
Tip 15,
If one of your answer options is follow NASW guidelines. This is most likely the correct answer
Tip 8 Answer Options!
If one of your answer options has the word ASK at the beginning of sentence it is most likely your answer.
Remember: ASK is part of engagement!
Example:
Ask the client what brings them to therapy
Ask what the client needs
Ask the client how they feel
Tip#9
If there’s an answer to acknowledge ambivalence and it ask what to do FIRST you can always start there.
Reminder- Acknowledging acceptance is different than starting off by accepting their decision.
Tip # 10
If a client is in a DV situation, but states they don’t want to talk about it or deny there is a problem. Then psychoeducation or safety planning are not options, as this is going against the clients self determination. When a client is denying there is a problem or don’t want to talk about it, a DV shelter referral is a good option.
For test purposes only: If a client is in a DV situation, but states they don’t want to talk about it or deny there is a problem. Then psychoeducation or safety planning are not options, as this is going against the clients self determination. When a client is denying there is a problem or don’t want to talk about it, a DV shelter referral is a good option to address!
Let’s say the question stem states. Client is in a DV shelter and will be returning home with the aggressor. What should the social worker do next: address safety Issues, safety planning etc …would be the best option.
Steps:
The sw provided a referral to a dv shelter.
The client wants to leave the shelter. What should the social worker do next: create a safety plan or address safety issues would be the best option
*Remember if the client wants to leave the shelter, focus on safety first! Ex: create a safety plan, address safety issues)
Tip # 13 psychoeducation would be appropriate in DV if the client acknowledges their is an issue, but seems not to understand the dynamic of DV.
For ex: client express fear of the person and are aware that what the person is doing is wrong, but the client states how sweet and apologetic the person is after the abuse, and brings them flowers, gifts, etc.. Then in this case the social worker can provide psychoeducation. Also psychoeducation can be provided during the honeymoon phase of DV
Tip # 12
If a client is returning to an abusive situation and the question ask what is the Best/ Most-
What a social worker must do is generally going to be to safety plan.
