LMSW EXAM BOOTCAMP STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026
ACCURATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <BRAND NEW VERSION>
3 Areas to identify in each question (PPL)
1. Problem
2. Person
3. Last Sentence (guide to answer question)
Key words
1. Person/Client "hot seat"
2. SAFETY Red Flags - suicide, abuse, life-threatening, unexplained marks, alcohol,
recent loss
3. Strong words/adjectives
4. Age
5. Diagnosis
6. Symptoms/Duration
7. Who are you?
8. Where are you in session?
9. Quotations
10. Direct requests/concerns
11. Qualifiers (First/Next/Best)
Distractors
FARM GRITS ROAD - Answers that look appealing at first glance but are often wrong -
ELIMINATE! Exam is here and now
DO NOT CHOOSE FARM GRITS ROAD
1. FOCUS on unresolved issues/past
,2. ADVICE - giving/judging
3. RECOMMEND "to a support group"
4. MAKE an appt.
5. GIVE pamphlets/literature
6. RECOMMEND a session
7. INFORM parents/speak to parents (when child/ado)
8. TERMINATE (Exceptions: Moving, client reaches goals/no new crisis, client does not
pay)
9. SPEAK to supervisor (except transference/counter)
10. RESPECT self-determination (If mentally UNSTABLE)
11. OFFER contract as a reminder
12. ALLOW the clients to lead the session
13. DO nothing/say nothing
How do you answer first/next questions?
90% of exam is SAFETY FIRST.
How does the exam want you to have a CLEAR understanding of client's issues?
ASSESS BEFORE ACTION.
RUSAFE
1. RULE out medical
2. UNDER the influence/delusional/hallucinating Do Not Treat
3. SAVE Lives - Safety first (Answers: Duty to warn, report child/elder abuse, 911,
mobile crisis, ER)
4. ASSESS before action - (Answers: ASSESS, ASK or DICE - Determine,
Identify,Clarify, Explore)
5. FEELINGS - (Answers: ACKNOWLEDGE person's feelings) CONCERNS (AID
ASSIST, INFORM client, DISCUSS concerns)
6. EMPOWER - If client is mentally stable/alert (Answers: Respect client's decisions)
COE: Ethical responsibilities towards clients
1. Client's best interests are primary
2. Respect/promote right to self-determination if client is mentally alert/stable, NOT
unstable/intoxicated/psychotic
,3. Informed consent, written agreement by client to undergo treatment,
risks/benefits/costs disclosed
4. Avoid conflicts of interest (Things that interfere with SW's impartial
judgment/discretion)
5. DO NOT promote individual therapy sessions to ppl who have a relationship w/ each
other (except couples, family, group treatment) - Provide family members with
appropriate referrals
6. Avoid dual/multiple relationships
7. Avoid bartering (unless common practice in community)
8. Obtain a professional translator FIRST if client does not speak the language of SW
9. Do not disclose client information w/out consent unless req'd by law
10. Provide client with reasonable access to records (First explore/discuss reason for
request) Follow laws of state.
11. Ensure CONTINUITY of services
12. NO relations with clients past or present
Mandated reporting
SW's are req'd and responsible for reporting any instances of abuse that is suspected.
Abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, CHILD AND ELDER ABUSE
Duty to Warn
SW's MUST WARN a threatened victim of any harm that his/her client may cause when
there is a REAL INTENT (PLAN)
HIV Decisions
NOT DUTY TO WARN! 3 options:
1. FIRST urge client to disclose to partner
2. FIRST encourage client to engage in safe sex
3. Research/follow state laws as needed
Subpoena by the court
SW may be req'd by law to disclose confidential information
COE: Ethical responsibilities to colleagues
1. Refer to colleague who may be better trained in an area than SW. SW can take client
but must be COMPETENT.
, 2. When CONSULTING with colleague, disclose least amount of information
3. FIRST speak to a colleague to discourage/prevent/correct unethical behavior
4. AVOID relationships with colleagues (conflict of interest)
COE: Ethical responsibilities in practice settings
1. Accurately document services in client's records while keeping best interests in mind
2. Maintain records securely for a period of time consistent with state laws
COE: Ethical responsibilities as professionals
1. MONITOR/EVALUATE policies and implementation of programs
2. ADVOCATE when necessary
HMO Insurance/Short term Care/MANAGED CARE
1. Emphasizes short term, discourages long term treatment
2. Cases assigned to case manager to whom provider must justify necessity for
treatment for payment and services.
3. More precise diagnosis = greater likelihood of reimbursement
4. Encourages Cognitive/Behavioral short term TX.
5. Contracts are INFLEXIBLE, abide by rules to receive reimbursement
Disorders in Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence
Autism, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Enuresis, Separation
Anxiety Disorder
Adult Disorders
Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic/Cognitive Disorders, Schizophrenia and other Psychotic
Disorders, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Somatoform Disorders, Factitious
Disorders
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
1. Symptoms at least 6 months
2. Inattentive: Difficulty focusing, staying on task follow-through, listening, easily
distracted, loses things, forgetful
3. Hyperactive: Impulsive, fidgeting, running around, talking excessively
4. Several symptoms present prior to age 12
5. Must occur in 2 or more settings
6.. Behaviors can increase/decrease based on settings.
ACCURATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <BRAND NEW VERSION>
3 Areas to identify in each question (PPL)
1. Problem
2. Person
3. Last Sentence (guide to answer question)
Key words
1. Person/Client "hot seat"
2. SAFETY Red Flags - suicide, abuse, life-threatening, unexplained marks, alcohol,
recent loss
3. Strong words/adjectives
4. Age
5. Diagnosis
6. Symptoms/Duration
7. Who are you?
8. Where are you in session?
9. Quotations
10. Direct requests/concerns
11. Qualifiers (First/Next/Best)
Distractors
FARM GRITS ROAD - Answers that look appealing at first glance but are often wrong -
ELIMINATE! Exam is here and now
DO NOT CHOOSE FARM GRITS ROAD
1. FOCUS on unresolved issues/past
,2. ADVICE - giving/judging
3. RECOMMEND "to a support group"
4. MAKE an appt.
5. GIVE pamphlets/literature
6. RECOMMEND a session
7. INFORM parents/speak to parents (when child/ado)
8. TERMINATE (Exceptions: Moving, client reaches goals/no new crisis, client does not
pay)
9. SPEAK to supervisor (except transference/counter)
10. RESPECT self-determination (If mentally UNSTABLE)
11. OFFER contract as a reminder
12. ALLOW the clients to lead the session
13. DO nothing/say nothing
How do you answer first/next questions?
90% of exam is SAFETY FIRST.
How does the exam want you to have a CLEAR understanding of client's issues?
ASSESS BEFORE ACTION.
RUSAFE
1. RULE out medical
2. UNDER the influence/delusional/hallucinating Do Not Treat
3. SAVE Lives - Safety first (Answers: Duty to warn, report child/elder abuse, 911,
mobile crisis, ER)
4. ASSESS before action - (Answers: ASSESS, ASK or DICE - Determine,
Identify,Clarify, Explore)
5. FEELINGS - (Answers: ACKNOWLEDGE person's feelings) CONCERNS (AID
ASSIST, INFORM client, DISCUSS concerns)
6. EMPOWER - If client is mentally stable/alert (Answers: Respect client's decisions)
COE: Ethical responsibilities towards clients
1. Client's best interests are primary
2. Respect/promote right to self-determination if client is mentally alert/stable, NOT
unstable/intoxicated/psychotic
,3. Informed consent, written agreement by client to undergo treatment,
risks/benefits/costs disclosed
4. Avoid conflicts of interest (Things that interfere with SW's impartial
judgment/discretion)
5. DO NOT promote individual therapy sessions to ppl who have a relationship w/ each
other (except couples, family, group treatment) - Provide family members with
appropriate referrals
6. Avoid dual/multiple relationships
7. Avoid bartering (unless common practice in community)
8. Obtain a professional translator FIRST if client does not speak the language of SW
9. Do not disclose client information w/out consent unless req'd by law
10. Provide client with reasonable access to records (First explore/discuss reason for
request) Follow laws of state.
11. Ensure CONTINUITY of services
12. NO relations with clients past or present
Mandated reporting
SW's are req'd and responsible for reporting any instances of abuse that is suspected.
Abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, CHILD AND ELDER ABUSE
Duty to Warn
SW's MUST WARN a threatened victim of any harm that his/her client may cause when
there is a REAL INTENT (PLAN)
HIV Decisions
NOT DUTY TO WARN! 3 options:
1. FIRST urge client to disclose to partner
2. FIRST encourage client to engage in safe sex
3. Research/follow state laws as needed
Subpoena by the court
SW may be req'd by law to disclose confidential information
COE: Ethical responsibilities to colleagues
1. Refer to colleague who may be better trained in an area than SW. SW can take client
but must be COMPETENT.
, 2. When CONSULTING with colleague, disclose least amount of information
3. FIRST speak to a colleague to discourage/prevent/correct unethical behavior
4. AVOID relationships with colleagues (conflict of interest)
COE: Ethical responsibilities in practice settings
1. Accurately document services in client's records while keeping best interests in mind
2. Maintain records securely for a period of time consistent with state laws
COE: Ethical responsibilities as professionals
1. MONITOR/EVALUATE policies and implementation of programs
2. ADVOCATE when necessary
HMO Insurance/Short term Care/MANAGED CARE
1. Emphasizes short term, discourages long term treatment
2. Cases assigned to case manager to whom provider must justify necessity for
treatment for payment and services.
3. More precise diagnosis = greater likelihood of reimbursement
4. Encourages Cognitive/Behavioral short term TX.
5. Contracts are INFLEXIBLE, abide by rules to receive reimbursement
Disorders in Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence
Autism, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Enuresis, Separation
Anxiety Disorder
Adult Disorders
Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic/Cognitive Disorders, Schizophrenia and other Psychotic
Disorders, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Somatoform Disorders, Factitious
Disorders
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
1. Symptoms at least 6 months
2. Inattentive: Difficulty focusing, staying on task follow-through, listening, easily
distracted, loses things, forgetful
3. Hyperactive: Impulsive, fidgeting, running around, talking excessively
4. Several symptoms present prior to age 12
5. Must occur in 2 or more settings
6.. Behaviors can increase/decrease based on settings.
