LMSW ACTUAL CERTIFICATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ PARADIGM. Answer: worldview underlying theories and
methodology of a particular scientific subject
⩥ PRACTICE MODEL. Answer: guide for practitioner interaction that
operationalizes theory; includes concrete actions and techniques
⩥ Kholberg's Stages of Moral Reasoning. Answer: Preconventional (3-8
y/o)
1. fear of punishment
2. obtains rewards
Conventional (8-13 y/o) - follows stereotypical norms
3. belong and be accepted
4. obeys rules and regulations
Postconventional (adult) - not reached by most adults
5. make and keep promises
6. adhere to universal principles
⩥ Intervention Acronym - FIRST and BEST questions. Answer:
FAREAFI
F: acknowledged feeling 1st - Begin building rapport.
,A: Assess
R: Refer
E: Educate
A: Advocate
F: Facilitate
I: Intervene
⩥ BEST Questions Acronym. Answer: ASPIRINS
A: Acknowledge client concerns and Assess
S: Start where the patient is.
P: Protect life.
I: Intoxicated? Do not treat.
R: Rule out medical issue.
I: Informed consent.
N: Non-judgmental.
S: Support self-determination.
⩥ SYSTEMS THEORY: Ecological Systems
- Systems Perspective. Answer: Primary focus:
- How persons interact with their environment
Main Concepts:
- we are in continual transaction with our environment
,- Systems are interrelated parts or subsystems
constituting an ordered whole
- Each subsystem impacts all other parts and whole system
- Systems can have closed or open boundaries
- Systems tend toward equilibrium
Theorists:
- Parsons, Merton, Germain, Gitterman
⩥ SYSTEMS THEORY: Family Systems
- systems perspective. Answer: Primary focus:
- How the family system affects the individual and family functioning
across the life-span
Main Concepts:
-All parts of the family are interrelated
-Problems in one part of the system impacts all other parts, and the
system as a whole
-Systems maintain boundaries that give them their identities
-Systems tend to move towards homeostasis, or equilibrium
- Boundaries, roles, communication, family structure influence family
function
- Ecomaps & Genograms are used to understand the system dynamics
- A healthy family has flexibility, consistent structure, and effective
exchange of information
, - Social roles and interpersonal interaction are the focus of tx
Theorists:
- Bowen, Satir, Minuchin, Carter & McGoldrick
⩥ Genogram. Answer: diagrams of family relationships beyond a family
tree. They help to uncover intergenerational patterns of behavior,
marriage choices, family alliances and conflicts, the existence of family
secrets, and other info about the present situation
⩥ OBJECT RELATIONS THEORY. Answer: Primary focus:
- relationships with others
Main Concepts:
-lifelong relationship skills are rooted in early attachments
Theorist:
- Margaret Mahler
⩥ BEHAVIORISM & SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Includes:
Cognitive theory, Behavioral theory, Social Learning theory
[Social Behavioral Perspective]. Answer: Primary focus:
- How we develop cognitive functioning and learn
through acting on our environment
Main Concepts:
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ PARADIGM. Answer: worldview underlying theories and
methodology of a particular scientific subject
⩥ PRACTICE MODEL. Answer: guide for practitioner interaction that
operationalizes theory; includes concrete actions and techniques
⩥ Kholberg's Stages of Moral Reasoning. Answer: Preconventional (3-8
y/o)
1. fear of punishment
2. obtains rewards
Conventional (8-13 y/o) - follows stereotypical norms
3. belong and be accepted
4. obeys rules and regulations
Postconventional (adult) - not reached by most adults
5. make and keep promises
6. adhere to universal principles
⩥ Intervention Acronym - FIRST and BEST questions. Answer:
FAREAFI
F: acknowledged feeling 1st - Begin building rapport.
,A: Assess
R: Refer
E: Educate
A: Advocate
F: Facilitate
I: Intervene
⩥ BEST Questions Acronym. Answer: ASPIRINS
A: Acknowledge client concerns and Assess
S: Start where the patient is.
P: Protect life.
I: Intoxicated? Do not treat.
R: Rule out medical issue.
I: Informed consent.
N: Non-judgmental.
S: Support self-determination.
⩥ SYSTEMS THEORY: Ecological Systems
- Systems Perspective. Answer: Primary focus:
- How persons interact with their environment
Main Concepts:
- we are in continual transaction with our environment
,- Systems are interrelated parts or subsystems
constituting an ordered whole
- Each subsystem impacts all other parts and whole system
- Systems can have closed or open boundaries
- Systems tend toward equilibrium
Theorists:
- Parsons, Merton, Germain, Gitterman
⩥ SYSTEMS THEORY: Family Systems
- systems perspective. Answer: Primary focus:
- How the family system affects the individual and family functioning
across the life-span
Main Concepts:
-All parts of the family are interrelated
-Problems in one part of the system impacts all other parts, and the
system as a whole
-Systems maintain boundaries that give them their identities
-Systems tend to move towards homeostasis, or equilibrium
- Boundaries, roles, communication, family structure influence family
function
- Ecomaps & Genograms are used to understand the system dynamics
- A healthy family has flexibility, consistent structure, and effective
exchange of information
, - Social roles and interpersonal interaction are the focus of tx
Theorists:
- Bowen, Satir, Minuchin, Carter & McGoldrick
⩥ Genogram. Answer: diagrams of family relationships beyond a family
tree. They help to uncover intergenerational patterns of behavior,
marriage choices, family alliances and conflicts, the existence of family
secrets, and other info about the present situation
⩥ OBJECT RELATIONS THEORY. Answer: Primary focus:
- relationships with others
Main Concepts:
-lifelong relationship skills are rooted in early attachments
Theorist:
- Margaret Mahler
⩥ BEHAVIORISM & SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Includes:
Cognitive theory, Behavioral theory, Social Learning theory
[Social Behavioral Perspective]. Answer: Primary focus:
- How we develop cognitive functioning and learn
through acting on our environment
Main Concepts:
