MSW Direct and Indirect Practice 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which intervention model focuses on identifying exceptions to problems and building on client strengths rather than analyzing deficits?
- Psychosocial model
- Task-centered model
- Solution-focused brief therapy (Correct answer)
- Crisis intervention model
Correct answer: Solution-focused brief therapy
Solution-focused brief therapy emphasizes identifying exceptions to problems and amplifying existing strengths and successes.
Question 2: In indirect practice, a social worker testifying before a state legislature about gaps in mental health funding is functioning as a(n):
- Case manager
- Policy advocate (Correct answer)
- Community organizer
- Program evaluator
Correct answer: Policy advocate
Testifying before a legislature to influence mental health funding is a policy advocacy indirect practice role.
Question 3: A family presents with a child who has behavioral problems at school. The social worker conducts a genogram. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this tool?
- To diagnose a mental health disorder
- To map multigenerational family patterns and relationships (Correct answer)
- To create a treatment plan
- To assess risk for child abuse
Correct answer: To map multigenerational family patterns and relationships
A genogram maps multigenerational family patterns, relationships, and significant events to inform systemic understanding.
Question 4: A social worker helps a client identify and challenge distorted thought patterns contributing to depression. This technique is central to:
- Narrative therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (Correct answer)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Gestalt therapy
Correct answer: Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Challenging cognitive distortions is a core CBT technique that links thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Question 5: Which of the following best illustrates the social work concept of 'dual perspective'?
- Using both individual and group therapy simultaneously
- Understanding clients within both their immediate environment and the dominant society (Correct answer)
- Applying two theoretical frameworks to one case
- Involving both the client and family in treatment planning
Correct answer: Understanding clients within both their immediate environment and the dominant society
Dual perspective recognizes that minority clients navigate both their nurturing cultural system and the dominant societal system.
Question 6: During termination of a long-term therapeutic relationship, a client becomes angry and threatens to harm the social worker. The MOST appropriate immediate response is to:
- Process the anger as a therapeutic issue
- Calmly set limits and create a safety plan (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to another provider immediately
- End the session and contact law enforcement
Correct answer: Calmly set limits and create a safety plan
Setting limits calmly and developing a safety plan addresses the immediate threat while maintaining the therapeutic frame.
Question 7: An ecomap is used in social work assessment to:
- Illustrate three-generational family history
- Map a client's current relationships with environmental systems (Correct answer)
- Identify a client's cognitive schema
- Chart progress toward treatment goals
Correct answer: Map a client's current relationships with environmental systems
An ecomap visually depicts a client's current connections with social, institutional, and environmental systems.
MSW Direct and Indirect Practice 3
Which intervention model focuses on identifying exceptions to problems and building on client strengths rather than analyzing deficits?