LCSW EXAM SECTION 2 – ASSESSMENT
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANING 2025
Interview techniques - ANSWER -Universalization: the generalization or
normalization of behavior
-Clarification: reformulate problem in a client's words to make sure that you are
on the same page
-Confrontation: calling attention to something
-Interpretation: pulling together patterns of behavior to get a new understanding
-Reframing and relabeling: stating problem in a different way so a client can see
possible solutions
PART of a biopsychosocial history - ANSWER -Biological component: A
client's medical history, developmental history current medications, substance
abuse history and family history of medical illnesses
Psychological component: A client's current psychiatric illness or symptoms,
History of present psychiatric illness or symptoms Past or present psychosocial
stressors Mental status; An inquiry into treatments(s) previously tried
-Social section: focuses on client systems, unique client context, and may
identify strengths and/or resources available for treatment planning; sexual
identity issues/concerns, personal history, family of origin history, support
system availability, abuse history, education, legal history, marital/relationship
status and concerns, work history, and risks
*should also include assessing client's spiritual and cultural factors
,Beck Depression Inventory - ANSWER A 21-item test, in multiple choice
format, which gauges the intensity and presence of depression in adolescents
and adults
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) - ANSWER An
objective verbal inventory formatted as a personality test for assessment of
psychopathology, comprising 550 statements, with 16 repeated
Myres-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)-ANSWERA forced-choice, self-report
inventory that attempts of classify individuals along four theoretically
independent dimensions. The first dimension is a general attitude toward the
world, either extraverted (E) or introverted (I). The second dimension,
perception, is divided between sensation (S) and intuition (N). The third
dimension is that of processing. Once information is received, it is processed in
either a thinking (T) or feeling (F) style. The final dimension is judging (J)
versus perceiving (P).
Rorschach Inkblot Test - ANSWER Client responses to inkblots are used to
assess perceptual reactions and other psychological functioning. It is one of the
most widely used projective tests
(Side note from me: it is super invalid and unreliable because of its subjectivity)
Standford-Binet Intelligence Scale - ANSWER Designed for the testing of
cognitive abilities. It provides verbal, performance, and full scale scores for
children and adults
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) - ANSWER Another widely used
projective test. It consists of a series of pictures of ambiguous scenes. Clients
are asked to write stories or fantasies about what is happening, has happened,
and will happen in the pictures, along with description of their thoughts and
, feelings. The TAT yields information about a client's attitudes and fantasy life
that may be useful in formulating an understanding of a client's present needs,
desires, feelings, and conflicts, conscious and unconscious. Its use in clinical
assessment is generally part of a large battery of tests and interview data.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC) - ANSWER Designed as a measure of a
child's intellectual and cognitive ability. It has four index scales and a full scale
score
(Side not from me: also one for babies-toddlers)
Characteristics of possible client strengths (use during assessment) - ANSWER
1. Cognitive and appraisal skills: intellectual/cognitive ability; creativity,
curiousity; initiative, perseverance, patience; common sense; ability to
anticipate problems; realistic appraisal of demands and capacities; ability to use
feedback
2. Defenses and coping mechanisms: ability to regulate impulses and affect;
self-soothing; flexible, can handle stressors
3. Temperamental and dispositional facotrs: belief in trustworthiness of others;
belief in justice; self-esteem, self-worth; sense of mastery, confidence,
optimism; ability to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty; ability to make sense of
negative events; sense of humor; lack of hostility, anger, anxiety; optimistic,
open; ability to grieve; lack of helplessness; responsibility for decisions; sense
of direction, mission, purpose
4. Interpersonal skills and supports: ability to develop/maintain good
relationships; ability to confide in others; problem-solving skills; capacity for
empathy; presence of an intimate relationship; sense of security
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANING 2025
Interview techniques - ANSWER -Universalization: the generalization or
normalization of behavior
-Clarification: reformulate problem in a client's words to make sure that you are
on the same page
-Confrontation: calling attention to something
-Interpretation: pulling together patterns of behavior to get a new understanding
-Reframing and relabeling: stating problem in a different way so a client can see
possible solutions
PART of a biopsychosocial history - ANSWER -Biological component: A
client's medical history, developmental history current medications, substance
abuse history and family history of medical illnesses
Psychological component: A client's current psychiatric illness or symptoms,
History of present psychiatric illness or symptoms Past or present psychosocial
stressors Mental status; An inquiry into treatments(s) previously tried
-Social section: focuses on client systems, unique client context, and may
identify strengths and/or resources available for treatment planning; sexual
identity issues/concerns, personal history, family of origin history, support
system availability, abuse history, education, legal history, marital/relationship
status and concerns, work history, and risks
*should also include assessing client's spiritual and cultural factors
,Beck Depression Inventory - ANSWER A 21-item test, in multiple choice
format, which gauges the intensity and presence of depression in adolescents
and adults
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) - ANSWER An
objective verbal inventory formatted as a personality test for assessment of
psychopathology, comprising 550 statements, with 16 repeated
Myres-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)-ANSWERA forced-choice, self-report
inventory that attempts of classify individuals along four theoretically
independent dimensions. The first dimension is a general attitude toward the
world, either extraverted (E) or introverted (I). The second dimension,
perception, is divided between sensation (S) and intuition (N). The third
dimension is that of processing. Once information is received, it is processed in
either a thinking (T) or feeling (F) style. The final dimension is judging (J)
versus perceiving (P).
Rorschach Inkblot Test - ANSWER Client responses to inkblots are used to
assess perceptual reactions and other psychological functioning. It is one of the
most widely used projective tests
(Side note from me: it is super invalid and unreliable because of its subjectivity)
Standford-Binet Intelligence Scale - ANSWER Designed for the testing of
cognitive abilities. It provides verbal, performance, and full scale scores for
children and adults
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) - ANSWER Another widely used
projective test. It consists of a series of pictures of ambiguous scenes. Clients
are asked to write stories or fantasies about what is happening, has happened,
and will happen in the pictures, along with description of their thoughts and
, feelings. The TAT yields information about a client's attitudes and fantasy life
that may be useful in formulating an understanding of a client's present needs,
desires, feelings, and conflicts, conscious and unconscious. Its use in clinical
assessment is generally part of a large battery of tests and interview data.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC) - ANSWER Designed as a measure of a
child's intellectual and cognitive ability. It has four index scales and a full scale
score
(Side not from me: also one for babies-toddlers)
Characteristics of possible client strengths (use during assessment) - ANSWER
1. Cognitive and appraisal skills: intellectual/cognitive ability; creativity,
curiousity; initiative, perseverance, patience; common sense; ability to
anticipate problems; realistic appraisal of demands and capacities; ability to use
feedback
2. Defenses and coping mechanisms: ability to regulate impulses and affect;
self-soothing; flexible, can handle stressors
3. Temperamental and dispositional facotrs: belief in trustworthiness of others;
belief in justice; self-esteem, self-worth; sense of mastery, confidence,
optimism; ability to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty; ability to make sense of
negative events; sense of humor; lack of hostility, anger, anxiety; optimistic,
open; ability to grieve; lack of helplessness; responsibility for decisions; sense
of direction, mission, purpose
4. Interpersonal skills and supports: ability to develop/maintain good
relationships; ability to confide in others; problem-solving skills; capacity for
empathy; presence of an intimate relationship; sense of security
