Clinical Social Worker Flashcards
7 cards from real ASWB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Social Worker flashcards as text
A client with borderline personality disorder frequently calls between sessions in crisis. What is the most appropriate clinical response?
Answer: Establish clear boundaries around between-session contact while ensuring crisis resources are available
Clear boundaries with crisis resource access balances therapeutic structure and client safety.
During a home visit, a social worker notices signs of elder abuse. The alleged abuser is the client's primary caregiver. What is the FIRST priority?
Answer: Assess the immediate safety of the elder client
Safety assessment of the vulnerable adult is always the first clinical and ethical priority.
A client discloses they are HIV-positive and refuses to inform their sexual partner. The social worker is most likely to:
Answer: Explore the client's reasons and consult supervision/legal guidance on duty to protect
Balancing confidentiality with duty-to-protect requires exploration, consultation, and knowledge of jurisdiction-specific law.
Which defense mechanism is a client using when they attribute their own unacceptable anger to their therapist, claiming the therapist is hostile toward them?
Answer: Projection
Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or impulses to another person.
A social worker is treating a child whose parents are divorcing. Both parents request separate copies of session notes. The social worker should:
Answer: Determine who holds legal authority to authorize release of records
Legal custody status determines who has authority to authorize release of a minor's mental health records.
A client experiencing a major depressive episode reports passive suicidal ideation with no plan or intent. The most appropriate next step is to:
Answer: Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment and document findings
A comprehensive risk assessment is required to determine appropriate level of care and intervention.
Which theoretical framework emphasizes the therapeutic relationship itself as the primary agent of change?
Answer: Person-centered therapy
Person-centered therapy (Carl Rogers) holds that a genuine, empathic therapeutic relationship is the primary vehicle for change.