LCSW EXAM: THERAPIST DEVELOPMENT CENTER Questions
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Q: A social worker at a VA clinic is assigned a new client: a 26 year-old male who
was sent home after a roadside bomb killed several members of his unit 3 weeks
ago. Since the explosion, the man has been unable to sleep and has been refusing
to sit in the front seat of the car. When the social worker asks about the event,
the man reports that he has no recollection of what happened but feels panicked
and irritable most of the time. What is the most likely diagnosis in this case?
Answer:
A. Acute Stress Di The answer is, in this case, A. The stem tells us that the time
frame has only been 3 weeks and that the client is experiencing a sleep disturbance
(increased arousal), refusal to sit in the front seat (likely avoidance), irritability and
feelings of panic (more arousal), and lack of memory around the event (dissociative
amnesia). None of the other diagnoses fit here.
,LCSW EXAM: THERAPIST DEVELOPMENT CENTER Questions
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Q: A social worker in private practice receives a referral for a 32 year old woman
who reports
Answer:
ongoing difficulties with social and romantic relationships. During the initial
appointment, the
woman expresses frustration about a recent breakup and states that her ex-boyfriend
"got
tired of the highs and lows." When the social worker asks her to clarify, the woman
reports
going through frequent periods of feeling depressed as well as periods in which she
feels "super
happy, super productive, just sup The correct answer is B. The stem tells you that the
woman experiences frequent periods of what sound like depressive and hypomanic
symptoms,
and that these symptoms have been ongoing and are causing impairment in her social
life. A is
not correct because we do not have the Major Depressive Episode or Hypomanic
Episode
needed for Bipolar II. C is not the best answer because we have enough information
for
Cyclothymic Disorder and D is not correct because the symptoms described do not
fit
Adjustment Disorder.
,LCSW EXAM: THERAPIST DEVELOPMENT CENTER Questions
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Q: A 17-year-old client with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder comes to a first
session with her
Answer:
parents. The mother informs you that their daughter met with a psychiatrist who
prescribed
medication, but the family's faith prohibits her from taking it. The parents tell the
therapist they
have been trying to "rid her of her demons by praying and relying on our faith." You
notice that
the girl appears disheveled, is frequently distracted during the session, and seems
agitated.
What actions should the t The best answer choice in this situation is D. You likely
ruled out
answer B, since we would only initiate a 5150 (involuntary hospitalization) if there
were a grave
concern for the client's immediate safety, something that is not indicated based on the
information shared. Answer C can also be ruled out, since it completely overlooks
several of the
key concerns specifically noted in the question stem. Namely, the potential risks
facing the
client and medication compliance. This leaves us with options A and D. As the law
indicates, if a
child is receiving treatment by religious means, or not receiving treatment due to
, LCSW EXAM: THERAPIST DEVELOPMENT CENTER Questions
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
religious
reasons, this does not necessarily constitute neglect. In this case, the child is
receiving care, has
been seen by a psychiatrist and is now seeing a therapist-the parents have just
decided
against psychotropic medication for religious reasons. In addition, failure to tak
medication is not a life or death decision. For these reasons, we would not choos
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Q: A social worker at a VA clinic is assigned a new client: a 26 year-old male who
was sent home after a roadside bomb killed several members of his unit 3 weeks
ago. Since the explosion, the man has been unable to sleep and has been refusing
to sit in the front seat of the car. When the social worker asks about the event,
the man reports that he has no recollection of what happened but feels panicked
and irritable most of the time. What is the most likely diagnosis in this case?
Answer:
A. Acute Stress Di The answer is, in this case, A. The stem tells us that the time
frame has only been 3 weeks and that the client is experiencing a sleep disturbance
(increased arousal), refusal to sit in the front seat (likely avoidance), irritability and
feelings of panic (more arousal), and lack of memory around the event (dissociative
amnesia). None of the other diagnoses fit here.
,LCSW EXAM: THERAPIST DEVELOPMENT CENTER Questions
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Q: A social worker in private practice receives a referral for a 32 year old woman
who reports
Answer:
ongoing difficulties with social and romantic relationships. During the initial
appointment, the
woman expresses frustration about a recent breakup and states that her ex-boyfriend
"got
tired of the highs and lows." When the social worker asks her to clarify, the woman
reports
going through frequent periods of feeling depressed as well as periods in which she
feels "super
happy, super productive, just sup The correct answer is B. The stem tells you that the
woman experiences frequent periods of what sound like depressive and hypomanic
symptoms,
and that these symptoms have been ongoing and are causing impairment in her social
life. A is
not correct because we do not have the Major Depressive Episode or Hypomanic
Episode
needed for Bipolar II. C is not the best answer because we have enough information
for
Cyclothymic Disorder and D is not correct because the symptoms described do not
fit
Adjustment Disorder.
,LCSW EXAM: THERAPIST DEVELOPMENT CENTER Questions
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
Q: A 17-year-old client with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder comes to a first
session with her
Answer:
parents. The mother informs you that their daughter met with a psychiatrist who
prescribed
medication, but the family's faith prohibits her from taking it. The parents tell the
therapist they
have been trying to "rid her of her demons by praying and relying on our faith." You
notice that
the girl appears disheveled, is frequently distracted during the session, and seems
agitated.
What actions should the t The best answer choice in this situation is D. You likely
ruled out
answer B, since we would only initiate a 5150 (involuntary hospitalization) if there
were a grave
concern for the client's immediate safety, something that is not indicated based on the
information shared. Answer C can also be ruled out, since it completely overlooks
several of the
key concerns specifically noted in the question stem. Namely, the potential risks
facing the
client and medication compliance. This leaves us with options A and D. As the law
indicates, if a
child is receiving treatment by religious means, or not receiving treatment due to
, LCSW EXAM: THERAPIST DEVELOPMENT CENTER Questions
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
religious
reasons, this does not necessarily constitute neglect. In this case, the child is
receiving care, has
been seen by a psychiatrist and is now seeing a therapist-the parents have just
decided
against psychotropic medication for religious reasons. In addition, failure to tak
medication is not a life or death decision. For these reasons, we would not choos
