LCSW Exam Section 3 – Psychotherapy, Clinical Interventions, and Case Management – study
guide and practice questions
Principles for obtaining and providing feedback - correct answer ✔✔1. Feedback may be either
verbal or nonverbal, so social workers must take efforts to see what clients are trying to convey
verbally via their behavior and nonverbal cues in order to see whether interventions should be
altered
2. When social workers involve consultants or others in the feedback process related to client
care, clients should provide consent
3. Social workers should ask for feedback in difficult circumstances-not just when circumstances
appear neutral or positive. It can be tempting to only ask for feedback from people who will say
something positive. Sometimes the best learning can be from those who will be critical. Talking
through difficult feedback in supervision is important.
4. Feedback is especially critical at key decision points (as when transferring or closing cases)
5. It is important to guard against influencing people to respond in a particular way-this may be
unintentional because a social worker may have more influence or power than the individual
from whom feedback is sought
6. Confidentiality should be respected if the informant wants it
7. Always be clear about why feedback is needed and what will be done with the information
8. Documentation of feedback is essential
9. Be aware that the feedback may be very different depending upon when it is solicited. It is
critical to realize how recent events may have influenced information received. Getting feedback
repeatedly at several different times may be needed to see if responses differ
10. A social worker must make sure that the communication method is appropriate. For a
younger person, texting, email, or an online questionnaire may work, whereas face-to-face
conversation may be needed for others. The language should be jargon-free and issues such as
language, culture, and disability may affect that ways in which people both understand and
Congruence - correct answer ✔✔Matching of awareness and experience with communication
(verbal and nonverbal); congruence is essential for the vitality of a relationship and to facilitate
true helping as part of the problem-solving process
,Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques - correct answer ✔✔-Active listening
-Silence
-Questioning (open and closed ended)
-Reflecting or validating
-Paraphrasing and clarifying
-Reframing
-Exhibiting desirable facial expression (eye contact, warmth and concern, etc.)
-Using desirable postures and gestures (matching client, etc.)
One-on-One Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
An individual delivering feedback to another, face-to-face, is probably the most common form.
Such feedback needs to be delivered sensitively and according to principles of the profession
Intragroup Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
Individuals in a group provide feedback to the group and/or to one or more individuals within
the group. If the feedback is directed to the performance of the group, it can be particularly
effective
Group-to-Group Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
This might take place between two groups that are working together. The feedback may go in
one direction or both. The feedback might be directed at particular individuals or at the group
as a whole
Consultative Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
,An individual or group serves as a formal or informal consultant to another (usually to a group,
but occasionally to an individual). The individual or group receiving the feedback may be more
apt to accept and consider the feedback, given the expertise of the consultative entity, but has
no obligation to do so
360-Degree Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
It involves feedback from all directions-supervisors, peers, subordinates, the community, and so
forth. The idea is that the feedback reflects multiple viewpoints and gives a complete picture
Empathic Communication - correct answer ✔✔-Establishes rapport with clients-empathic
communication is one means of bridging the gap between a social worker and a client
-Starts where a client is and stays attuned to a client throughout the encounter (being
perceptive to changes in frame of mind)
-Increases the level at which clients explore themselves and their problems
-Responds to a client's nonverbal messages (a social worker can observe body language and
make explicit a client's feelings)
-Decreases defensiveness and engages a client in processing and testing new information
-Defuses anger that represents obstacles to progress
The core of the helping process is.... - correct answer ✔✔acceptance of a client and the use of
objective feedback
Social role theory - correct answer ✔✔Terms that relate to role issues:
-Role ambiguity: lack of clarity of role
-Role complementarity: the role is carried out in an expected way (i.e. parent-child, social
worker-client)
-Role discomplementarity: the role expectations of others differs from one's own
, -Role reversal: when two or more individuals switch roles
-Role conflict: incompatible or conflicting expectations
Transference - correct answer ✔✔Refers to redirection of a client's feelings for a significant
person to a social worker (i.e. attraction, rage, parentification, extreme dependence, etc.)
Countertransference - correct answer ✔✔Defined as redirection of a social worker's feelings
toward a client, or more generally, as a social worker's emotional entanglement with a client
Basic conditions for therapeutic process - correct answer ✔✔-There must be trust with a social
worker
-Recognition that therapeutic process is a joint exploration
-There must be listening on both sides
-Accepting what is said in a nonjudgmental manner
Biopsychosocial-spiritual-culutral model - correct answer ✔✔Biological dimension refers to the
role of biological systems within the body (i.e. genetic predispositions) and outside (i.e. airborne
pathogens that impact functioning)
Psychological dimension refers to the role of thoughts, emotion, and behavior on an individual,
group, or community functioning. Inclusion of this dimension also acknowledges the mind-body
connection in the assessment of problems
Social dimension refers to how a client relates to various groups and institutions in society, as
well as how groups and institutions relate to him or her. Social workers assist not only individual
clients, but all others who might be similarly affected by an issue.
Spiritual dimension refers to the role of religious or spiritual belief on well-being
guide and practice questions
Principles for obtaining and providing feedback - correct answer ✔✔1. Feedback may be either
verbal or nonverbal, so social workers must take efforts to see what clients are trying to convey
verbally via their behavior and nonverbal cues in order to see whether interventions should be
altered
2. When social workers involve consultants or others in the feedback process related to client
care, clients should provide consent
3. Social workers should ask for feedback in difficult circumstances-not just when circumstances
appear neutral or positive. It can be tempting to only ask for feedback from people who will say
something positive. Sometimes the best learning can be from those who will be critical. Talking
through difficult feedback in supervision is important.
4. Feedback is especially critical at key decision points (as when transferring or closing cases)
5. It is important to guard against influencing people to respond in a particular way-this may be
unintentional because a social worker may have more influence or power than the individual
from whom feedback is sought
6. Confidentiality should be respected if the informant wants it
7. Always be clear about why feedback is needed and what will be done with the information
8. Documentation of feedback is essential
9. Be aware that the feedback may be very different depending upon when it is solicited. It is
critical to realize how recent events may have influenced information received. Getting feedback
repeatedly at several different times may be needed to see if responses differ
10. A social worker must make sure that the communication method is appropriate. For a
younger person, texting, email, or an online questionnaire may work, whereas face-to-face
conversation may be needed for others. The language should be jargon-free and issues such as
language, culture, and disability may affect that ways in which people both understand and
Congruence - correct answer ✔✔Matching of awareness and experience with communication
(verbal and nonverbal); congruence is essential for the vitality of a relationship and to facilitate
true helping as part of the problem-solving process
,Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques - correct answer ✔✔-Active listening
-Silence
-Questioning (open and closed ended)
-Reflecting or validating
-Paraphrasing and clarifying
-Reframing
-Exhibiting desirable facial expression (eye contact, warmth and concern, etc.)
-Using desirable postures and gestures (matching client, etc.)
One-on-One Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
An individual delivering feedback to another, face-to-face, is probably the most common form.
Such feedback needs to be delivered sensitively and according to principles of the profession
Intragroup Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
Individuals in a group provide feedback to the group and/or to one or more individuals within
the group. If the feedback is directed to the performance of the group, it can be particularly
effective
Group-to-Group Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
This might take place between two groups that are working together. The feedback may go in
one direction or both. The feedback might be directed at particular individuals or at the group
as a whole
Consultative Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
,An individual or group serves as a formal or informal consultant to another (usually to a group,
but occasionally to an individual). The individual or group receiving the feedback may be more
apt to accept and consider the feedback, given the expertise of the consultative entity, but has
no obligation to do so
360-Degree Feedback - correct answer ✔✔Method for feedback
It involves feedback from all directions-supervisors, peers, subordinates, the community, and so
forth. The idea is that the feedback reflects multiple viewpoints and gives a complete picture
Empathic Communication - correct answer ✔✔-Establishes rapport with clients-empathic
communication is one means of bridging the gap between a social worker and a client
-Starts where a client is and stays attuned to a client throughout the encounter (being
perceptive to changes in frame of mind)
-Increases the level at which clients explore themselves and their problems
-Responds to a client's nonverbal messages (a social worker can observe body language and
make explicit a client's feelings)
-Decreases defensiveness and engages a client in processing and testing new information
-Defuses anger that represents obstacles to progress
The core of the helping process is.... - correct answer ✔✔acceptance of a client and the use of
objective feedback
Social role theory - correct answer ✔✔Terms that relate to role issues:
-Role ambiguity: lack of clarity of role
-Role complementarity: the role is carried out in an expected way (i.e. parent-child, social
worker-client)
-Role discomplementarity: the role expectations of others differs from one's own
, -Role reversal: when two or more individuals switch roles
-Role conflict: incompatible or conflicting expectations
Transference - correct answer ✔✔Refers to redirection of a client's feelings for a significant
person to a social worker (i.e. attraction, rage, parentification, extreme dependence, etc.)
Countertransference - correct answer ✔✔Defined as redirection of a social worker's feelings
toward a client, or more generally, as a social worker's emotional entanglement with a client
Basic conditions for therapeutic process - correct answer ✔✔-There must be trust with a social
worker
-Recognition that therapeutic process is a joint exploration
-There must be listening on both sides
-Accepting what is said in a nonjudgmental manner
Biopsychosocial-spiritual-culutral model - correct answer ✔✔Biological dimension refers to the
role of biological systems within the body (i.e. genetic predispositions) and outside (i.e. airborne
pathogens that impact functioning)
Psychological dimension refers to the role of thoughts, emotion, and behavior on an individual,
group, or community functioning. Inclusion of this dimension also acknowledges the mind-body
connection in the assessment of problems
Social dimension refers to how a client relates to various groups and institutions in society, as
well as how groups and institutions relate to him or her. Social workers assist not only individual
clients, but all others who might be similarly affected by an issue.
Spiritual dimension refers to the role of religious or spiritual belief on well-being
