A clinical social worker is treating a client who discloses that he plans to seriously harm his neighbor whom he has identified by name. The client has a history of violence and owns firearms. Which action is the social worker’s FIRST priority?

Under HIPAA, which of the following is considered protected health information (PHI)?

A social worker receives a phone call from a client’s employer requesting confirmation that the client is in treatment and the nature of the diagnosis. The client has not provided written authorization for this disclosure. What should the social worker do?

A social worker who uses a secure, encrypted client portal learns that a client has been forwarding highly sensitive session notes from the portal to her own personal, unencrypted email account. What is the social worker’s BEST course of action?

A social worker is treating a 15-year-old for depression. The client’s parents, who hold legal custody, request a full copy of the therapy records. State law permits minors to consent independently to outpatient mental health treatment. What should the social worker do?

A social worker is conducting an initial assessment with a 45-year-old client who was referred after losing his job. The client reports feeling hopeless, sleeping 10 hours a day, and withdrawing from friends. He also mentions he was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which component of the biopsychosocial model does the hypothyroidism diagnosis represent?

During a biopsychosocial assessment, a social worker learns that a client developed persistent low self-worth and difficulty trusting others following adverse childhood experiences. The client’s current internalized beliefs about herself and her relational patterns are best categorized under which domain of the biopsychosocial model?

A 30-year-old woman presents for an intake assessment. She reports anxiety and chronic insomnia. Her history reveals she has been the primary caregiver for her elderly mother for the past two years, has no close friends nearby, and recently lost her health insurance. Which of the following BEST illustrates a social contributing factor in her presentation?

A school social worker assesses a 10-year-old boy referred for aggressive behavior. The boy lives in a neighborhood with frequent violence, has witnessed domestic violence at home, and was recently assessed as having a learning disability. A complete biopsychosocial assessment would identify which combination of contributing factors?

A clinical social worker is completing an intake with a 55-year-old man recently released from incarceration. He reports difficulty sleeping, irritability, and distrust of authorities. He has no stable housing and limited job prospects due to his record. Which purpose does the biopsychosocial framework serve in this assessment?

A social worker begins seeing a new client who was mandated to treatment by the court following an arrest for impaired driving. The client states, ‘I do not want to be here and I do not think I have a problem.’ Which response BEST demonstrates unconditional positive regard?

During an intake session, a client tearfully describes losing her job and says, ‘I feel like such a failure.’ The social worker responds, ‘It sounds like losing this job has left you feeling deeply ashamed of yourself.’ Which therapeutic skill is the social worker demonstrating?

A social worker notices that a client becomes withdrawn and gives short answers whenever the topic of his father arises. The social worker suspects this avoidance may relate to unresolved feelings. Which action BEST addresses this therapeutically?

A social worker feels increasingly irritated during sessions with a client who consistently minimizes the impact of her behavior on others. The social worker recognizes these feelings may be countertransference. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

A social worker is providing therapy to a client from a cultural background that emphasizes collective decision-making over individual autonomy. The client repeatedly defers to family members when discussing treatment goals. The social worker, trained primarily in individualistic models, struggles to engage the client effectively. Which approach is MOST culturally responsive?