LMSW EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS 2026 /2027
GRADED A+|BRAND NEW!!!
Group polarization - Answer -Discussion strengthens a dominant point of view, group shifts to
this extreme viewpoint
Groupthink - Answer -Group cohesion and loyalty undermines decision making in order to
maintain the we-ness
Irvin Yalom, M.D. - Answer -Pioneer in group therapy.
Universality - helps ppl see what they are going through is universal, not alone,
Catharsis - Venting feelings to group members to relieve pain, guilt, stress
Boston Model, People Perceive Information Differently Separately - Answer -1. Preaffiliation:
Ambivalence, leader must establish authority/discuss guidelines and review philosophy
2. Power/Control: Struggle over control of the group, conflict among subgroups
3. Intimacy: Conflicts diminish, sense of "we-ness" increases and COHESION
4. Differentiation: Personal expression, improved group skills in analyzing and working through
problems
5. Separation: Achieve termination
Administration Key Concepts - Answer -1. Key Words's = TEAM WORK, CONVENE STAFF
MEETINGS & BROAD BASED COMMITTEES
1|Page
,2. Admin. establishes a broad based "committee" that brings together all segments of the
agency, including staff and sometimes clients to develop methods for assessing the problem,
decision making, proposing solutions
The Board of Directors - Answer -1. NOT on SW's TREATMENT TEAM
2. Executive directors are concerned with funding NOT with immediate staff issues
3 functions of supervision - Answer -Administrative, Educational, Supportive
Supervisor Key Concepts - Answer -1. Supervisor there to EDUCATE the SW and IMPROVE job
performance
2. Supervisor is in charge of SW's and or intern's caseloads
3. TRANSFERENCE/COUNTERTRANSFERENCE
4. Supervisor DOES NOT EXPLORE sw's inner feelings
5. Main purpose - advance agency goals and improve service to clients.
Culture Bound Syndrome - Answer -Appendix 1 in DSM-IV: A client's cultural beliefs and how
they impact the interviewer while assessing their behaviors Ex. Ataque de nervios - Hispanic
Culture
Native Americans and Alaskan Natives - Answer -1. Tradition of oral story telling
2. Great respect for elders, hand down traditions
2|Page
,3. Spiritual healers are traditional leaders (shaman/medicine man)
4. Value listening and comfortable with silence
5. High degrees of suicide and alcoholism
6. Avoid eye contact as a sign of respect
Latino - Hispanic - Answer -1. Mostly roman catholic and extended family system
2. Demonstrate shame when seeking mental health assistance
3. Excessive emotionality when confronted with crisis - ataque de nervios
Asian/Pacific Islander - Answer -1. Obligation to parents and respect to elders
2. Elders are family decision makers
3. Resolve conflicts within the family
4. Less emotional expressiveness
5. Use alternative healing methods (ex. coining, acupuncture, homeopathic TX)
Elderly Clients - Answer -1. Remain patient and respectful - do not use aggressive approach
2. Mr. or Mrs. as a sign of respect
3. Frequent appts. may be needed during beginning of treatment - home visits
4. Respect self-determination if they are mentally alert
5. Client is Frail/medical issues - assess their abilities, r/o medical FIRST
3|Page
, Gender, Identity Clients - gay, lesbian, transgender - Answer -1. Be aware that clients have
concerns about your values
2. Support client in understanding their own sexual orientation prior to sharing with
family/friends
3. Be aware of your own values/cultural competence with ALL DIVERSE clients
Clients with Disabilities - Answer -1. Explore your clients need for SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
first
2. Respect self-determination if mentally stable
3. Do not challenge clients who have lower level of functioning
Substance Dependence - Answer -Increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms
Substance abuse - Answer -Abuse interferes with obligations: causes social, legal, medical
problems
Methadone - Answer -Synthetic narcotic for Opiate use
Addicts defense mechanisms - Answer -Denial and Rationalization
Family members role with Addicts - Answer -Enablers, allow for addictions to continue/progress
4|Page
GRADED A+|BRAND NEW!!!
Group polarization - Answer -Discussion strengthens a dominant point of view, group shifts to
this extreme viewpoint
Groupthink - Answer -Group cohesion and loyalty undermines decision making in order to
maintain the we-ness
Irvin Yalom, M.D. - Answer -Pioneer in group therapy.
Universality - helps ppl see what they are going through is universal, not alone,
Catharsis - Venting feelings to group members to relieve pain, guilt, stress
Boston Model, People Perceive Information Differently Separately - Answer -1. Preaffiliation:
Ambivalence, leader must establish authority/discuss guidelines and review philosophy
2. Power/Control: Struggle over control of the group, conflict among subgroups
3. Intimacy: Conflicts diminish, sense of "we-ness" increases and COHESION
4. Differentiation: Personal expression, improved group skills in analyzing and working through
problems
5. Separation: Achieve termination
Administration Key Concepts - Answer -1. Key Words's = TEAM WORK, CONVENE STAFF
MEETINGS & BROAD BASED COMMITTEES
1|Page
,2. Admin. establishes a broad based "committee" that brings together all segments of the
agency, including staff and sometimes clients to develop methods for assessing the problem,
decision making, proposing solutions
The Board of Directors - Answer -1. NOT on SW's TREATMENT TEAM
2. Executive directors are concerned with funding NOT with immediate staff issues
3 functions of supervision - Answer -Administrative, Educational, Supportive
Supervisor Key Concepts - Answer -1. Supervisor there to EDUCATE the SW and IMPROVE job
performance
2. Supervisor is in charge of SW's and or intern's caseloads
3. TRANSFERENCE/COUNTERTRANSFERENCE
4. Supervisor DOES NOT EXPLORE sw's inner feelings
5. Main purpose - advance agency goals and improve service to clients.
Culture Bound Syndrome - Answer -Appendix 1 in DSM-IV: A client's cultural beliefs and how
they impact the interviewer while assessing their behaviors Ex. Ataque de nervios - Hispanic
Culture
Native Americans and Alaskan Natives - Answer -1. Tradition of oral story telling
2. Great respect for elders, hand down traditions
2|Page
,3. Spiritual healers are traditional leaders (shaman/medicine man)
4. Value listening and comfortable with silence
5. High degrees of suicide and alcoholism
6. Avoid eye contact as a sign of respect
Latino - Hispanic - Answer -1. Mostly roman catholic and extended family system
2. Demonstrate shame when seeking mental health assistance
3. Excessive emotionality when confronted with crisis - ataque de nervios
Asian/Pacific Islander - Answer -1. Obligation to parents and respect to elders
2. Elders are family decision makers
3. Resolve conflicts within the family
4. Less emotional expressiveness
5. Use alternative healing methods (ex. coining, acupuncture, homeopathic TX)
Elderly Clients - Answer -1. Remain patient and respectful - do not use aggressive approach
2. Mr. or Mrs. as a sign of respect
3. Frequent appts. may be needed during beginning of treatment - home visits
4. Respect self-determination if they are mentally alert
5. Client is Frail/medical issues - assess their abilities, r/o medical FIRST
3|Page
, Gender, Identity Clients - gay, lesbian, transgender - Answer -1. Be aware that clients have
concerns about your values
2. Support client in understanding their own sexual orientation prior to sharing with
family/friends
3. Be aware of your own values/cultural competence with ALL DIVERSE clients
Clients with Disabilities - Answer -1. Explore your clients need for SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
first
2. Respect self-determination if mentally stable
3. Do not challenge clients who have lower level of functioning
Substance Dependence - Answer -Increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms
Substance abuse - Answer -Abuse interferes with obligations: causes social, legal, medical
problems
Methadone - Answer -Synthetic narcotic for Opiate use
Addicts defense mechanisms - Answer -Denial and Rationalization
Family members role with Addicts - Answer -Enablers, allow for addictions to continue/progress
4|Page
