Masters Level Flashcards: Assessment and Intervention Planning

What is the purpose of a biopsychosocial assessment in social work practice?

The biopsychosocial assessment evaluates biological, psychological, and social factors influencing a client's well-being. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the client's situation to inform intervention planning.

What is the role of informed consent in the assessment process?

Informed consent ensures that clients understand the purpose, risks, and benefits of the assessment process, and agree to participate voluntarily, fostering transparency and trust.

What is a genogram, and how is it used in assessment?

A genogram is a visual representation of a client's family relationships and dynamics. It helps identify patterns, such as intergenerational behaviors, roles, or issues affecting the client.

How does a social worker assess a client’s readiness for change?

Using models like the Stages of Change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance), social workers evaluate a client's motivation, barriers, and commitment to making changes.

What is the purpose of using standardized assessment tools?

Standardized tools provide reliable, valid, and objective measures of specific client issues, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the assessment process.

What is the importance of cultural competence in assessment?

Cultural competence ensures that the assessment process is inclusive, respectful, and tailored to the client’s cultural context, avoiding biases and inaccuracies.

How do social workers prioritize problems during the assessment process?

Social workers prioritize issues based on severity, client preferences, and safety concerns, addressing immediate needs before longer-term goals.

What is a functional assessment, and why is it important?

A functional assessment evaluates a client’s ability to perform daily living activities. It identifies areas needing support and guides intervention planning.

What is motivational interviewing, and how does it inform intervention planning?

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered approach that explores ambivalence and strengthens motivation for change, providing a foundation for goal-setting and intervention.

How do social workers incorporate client strengths into intervention planning?

By identifying and leveraging client strengths, such as resilience, skills, and support systems, social workers create empowering and effective intervention plans.

What is the purpose of a risk assessment in social work?

Risk assessments identify potential harm to the client or others, such as suicidal ideation or abuse, and inform strategies to mitigate risks and ensure safety.

What is the role of ecomaps in assessment?

Ecomaps visually map a client’s connections to their environment, identifying sources of support or stress in relationships, community, and systems.

How do social workers assess for trauma during the intake process?

By asking sensitive, open-ended questions, observing nonverbal cues, and using trauma-informed tools to evaluate the impact of past experiences.

What is the significance of SMART goals in intervention planning?

SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) ensure clarity, focus, and accountability in achieving desired outcomes.

How do social workers evaluate client progress during intervention?

By tracking changes in behavior, reviewing goals, collecting feedback, and using assessment tools to measure outcomes.

What is the role of collaboration in developing an intervention plan?

Collaboration ensures that the intervention plan reflects the client’s values, preferences, and goals, fostering empowerment and commitment.

How do social workers determine the appropriateness of referrals?

By assessing the client’s needs, the expertise of the referral source, and ensuring the client’s readiness and consent for the referral.

What is the difference between short-term and long-term interventions?

Short-term interventions address immediate concerns, such as crisis management, while long-term interventions focus on sustained behavioral or systemic changes.

How do social workers address barriers to intervention?

By identifying obstacles like financial constraints, transportation, or stigma, and providing resources, advocacy, or alternative solutions.

What is the purpose of a discharge plan in social work?

A discharge plan ensures a smooth transition from services, providing ongoing support and resources to maintain progress after termination.

What is the significance of reflective listening during assessment?

Reflective listening validates the client’s experiences, builds trust, and ensures that the social worker accurately understands the client’s concerns.

What is a contingency plan, and why is it important in intervention planning?

A contingency plan outlines alternative strategies to address potential obstacles, ensuring continuity and adaptability in achieving goals.

How do social workers assess client coping mechanisms?

By exploring past and current strategies the client uses to manage stress and identifying whether they are adaptive or maladaptive.

What is the role of advocacy in intervention planning?

Advocacy involves addressing systemic barriers and ensuring that clients have access to resources and services necessary to achieve their goals.

How do social workers ensure cultural humility during assessment?

By being open to learning about the client’s cultural background, seeking client input, and avoiding assumptions or biases.

What is the importance of ethical considerations in assessment and intervention planning?

Ethical considerations ensure that client autonomy, confidentiality, and rights are respected throughout the process.

How do social workers use behavioral assessments?

Behavioral assessments identify triggers, patterns, and consequences of specific behaviors to inform targeted interventions.

What is the purpose of ongoing assessment during intervention?

Ongoing assessments monitor progress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and allow for adjustments as needed.

How do social workers handle resistance during assessment and intervention?

By exploring the reasons behind resistance, using motivational interviewing techniques, and building trust to address concerns.

What is the ecological perspective in assessment and intervention?

The ecological perspective examines the interactions between clients and their environments, identifying systemic factors that influence well-being.

What is the purpose of a mental status examination (MSE) in social work?

An MSE evaluates a client’s cognitive, emotional, and psychological functioning through structured observation and questioning, informing diagnosis and treatment.

How do social workers assess for suicidal ideation?

By asking direct questions about thoughts, plans, means, and intent, and evaluating risk factors and protective factors to ensure safety.

What is the role of goal hierarchy in intervention planning?

Goal hierarchy prioritizes objectives, addressing immediate needs first while setting the foundation for achieving long-term goals.

How do social workers use the strengths-based perspective in planning?

By focusing on clients’ existing skills, resources, and resilience to build capacity and promote positive outcomes.

What is the role of cultural assessment tools in social work?

Cultural assessment tools help gather information about the client’s cultural identity, values, and practices to ensure culturally appropriate interventions.

How do social workers handle ethical dilemmas during assessment?

By consulting the NASW Code of Ethics, seeking supervision, and prioritizing the client’s best interests and legal requirements.

What is a functional behavioral analysis (FBA)?

An FBA identifies the purpose of specific behaviors by analyzing triggers, patterns, and outcomes to design effective interventions.

What is the significance of client self-determination in intervention planning?

Respecting self-determination empowers clients to take an active role in decision-making and increases their commitment to achieving goals.

How do social workers evaluate the effectiveness of interventions?

By measuring progress against goals, gathering client feedback, and using evidence-based tools to assess outcomes.

What is the purpose of a service plan in social work?

A service plan outlines the client’s goals, the strategies to achieve them, and the timeline for implementation, serving as a roadmap for intervention.

How does trauma-informed care influence assessment and intervention?

Trauma-informed care ensures sensitivity to the client’s trauma history, prioritizing safety, trust, and empowerment throughout the process.

What is the role of reflective practice in intervention planning?

Reflective practice allows social workers to evaluate their actions, biases, and decisions, ensuring that interventions are client-centered and ethical.

How do social workers assess the impact of systemic barriers on clients?

By identifying external factors such as discrimination, lack of resources, or policy restrictions that affect the client’s ability to achieve goals.

What is the importance of collaboration with interdisciplinary teams in assessment?

Collaboration ensures a holistic understanding of the client’s needs by incorporating perspectives and expertise from multiple disciplines.

How do social workers address ambivalence during intervention planning?

By exploring the client’s concerns and motivations, using motivational interviewing to resolve conflicts and build commitment.

What is a risk management plan in social work?

A risk management plan outlines strategies to prevent or address potential dangers to the client or others, ensuring safety and well-being.

How does the client’s social support system influence intervention planning?

A strong support system can enhance resilience and provide additional resources, while a lack of support may require targeted interventions.

What is the purpose of scaling questions in assessment?

Scaling questions help clients quantify their feelings or progress, providing measurable insights into their experiences and perceptions.

How do social workers use contingency contracts in intervention?

Contingency contracts outline specific actions and consequences agreed upon by the client and social worker, promoting accountability and motivation.

What is the role of empowerment in assessment and intervention planning?

Empowerment builds the client’s confidence and capacity to address challenges, fostering independence and long-term success.

How do social workers incorporate client feedback into intervention planning?

By actively seeking and considering client input, social workers ensure that intervention plans align with the client’s needs, preferences, and goals.

What is the significance of the ecological perspective in assessment?

The ecological perspective examines how interactions between the client and their environment influence behavior, highlighting systemic factors for targeted interventions.

How do social workers address ethical considerations when working with minors?

By balancing the minor’s confidentiality with legal reporting requirements and involving parents or guardians appropriately, ensuring ethical and legal compliance.

What is the importance of documenting assessments and interventions?

Documentation provides a clear record of client progress, supports continuity of care, and ensures accountability and adherence to ethical standards.

How do social workers identify client strengths during assessment?

By exploring past successes, skills, relationships, and resources, social workers identify strengths that can be leveraged to achieve intervention goals.

What is the difference between formal and informal assessments?

Formal assessments: Use standardized tools for objective measurement. Informal assessments: Rely on observations and interactions to gather qualitative insights.

How do social workers assess for substance use disorders?

By using screening tools, exploring patterns of use, and evaluating the impact on the client’s functioning and relationships.

What is the role of a psychosocial assessment in social work?

A psychosocial assessment evaluates psychological, social, and environmental factors affecting a client’s well-being to inform holistic interventions.

How do social workers ensure cultural competence in intervention planning?

By understanding the client’s cultural background, involving them in the planning process, and using culturally relevant strategies and resources.

What is the purpose of case conferencing in social work?

Case conferencing involves collaborating with other professionals to review the client’s situation, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care.

How do social workers assess for domestic violence?

By asking sensitive, direct questions about safety and relationships, and using validated screening tools to identify risks and needs.

What is the difference between subjective and objective data in assessment?

Subjective data: Information provided by the client, such as feelings or experiences. Objective data: Observable and measurable facts, such as test results or behavior.

How do social workers use life domain assessments?

Life domain assessments evaluate multiple areas of a client’s life, such as housing, employment, and health, to identify strengths and challenges.

What is the purpose of progress monitoring in intervention planning?

Progress monitoring tracks the client’s advancement toward goals, allowing for timely adjustments to improve outcomes.

How do social workers assess for financial stressors during intake?

By exploring the client’s income, expenses, and access to resources, identifying financial barriers that may affect their well-being.

What is a discharge summary, and why is it important?

A discharge summary documents the client’s progress, completed goals, and recommendations for continued support, ensuring a smooth transition from services.

How do social workers address client ambivalence during assessment?

By using techniques like motivational interviewing to explore and resolve mixed feelings, fostering engagement and commitment.

What is the purpose of a strengths inventory in assessment?

A strengths inventory identifies the client’s assets and resources, providing a foundation for building effective intervention plans.

How do social workers assess the client’s readiness for termination of services?

By evaluating goal achievement, client stability, and the availability of ongoing support, ensuring readiness for independence.

What is the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration in intervention planning?

Interdisciplinary collaboration integrates diverse expertise, ensuring comprehensive and holistic care for the client.

How do social workers assess for emotional regulation skills?

By observing how the client manages emotions in challenging situations and discussing coping strategies used in the past and present.

What is the role of psychoeducation in intervention planning?

Psychoeducation provides clients with information about their condition or challenges, empowering them to participate actively in their treatment.

How do social workers handle ethical dilemmas involving confidentiality during assessment?

By following the NASW Code of Ethics, explaining limits of confidentiality to the client, and seeking supervision when needed.

What is the significance of resilience factors in assessment?

Resilience factors, such as supportive relationships or problem-solving skills, help clients adapt to adversity and should be incorporated into intervention planning.

How do social workers assess for systemic barriers affecting the client?

By identifying external challenges such as poverty, discrimination, or policy limitations that hinder the client’s progress and well-being.

What is the importance of advocacy in addressing systemic barriers?

Advocacy helps address inequalities and ensures that clients receive fair treatment and access to resources needed to achieve their goals.

How do social workers use client narratives in assessments?

Client narratives provide insight into their experiences, perspectives, and values, informing a person-centered approach to planning.

What is a mental health assessment, and why is it important?

A mental health assessment evaluates emotional and psychological well-being, identifying conditions like depression or anxiety that may require intervention.

How do social workers address conflicting client goals during planning?

By facilitating discussions to clarify priorities, exploring underlying values, and collaboratively setting achievable goals.

What is the purpose of client self-assessments in social work?

Self-assessments empower clients to identify their own strengths, needs, and progress, fostering engagement and ownership of the process.

How do social workers assess for family dynamics?

By exploring communication patterns, roles, and relationships within the family, identifying strengths and challenges impacting the client.

What is the significance of cultural humility in intervention planning?

Cultural humility ensures that the client’s cultural identity and values are respected and incorporated into the planning process.

How do social workers evaluate the success of crisis interventions?

By assessing the immediate stabilization of the client and determining whether follow-up services are needed for long-term support.

What is a life transition assessment, and when is it used?

Life transition assessments evaluate the client’s readiness and resources for significant changes, such as career shifts or retirement.

How do social workers identify client values during assessment?

By asking open-ended questions, observing behaviors, and exploring decision-making processes to understand what matters most to the client.

What is the role of supervision in managing complex cases?

Supervision provides guidance, support, and accountability, helping social workers navigate ethical dilemmas and develop effective strategies.

How do social workers address unmet basic needs during assessment?

By prioritizing immediate needs like food, housing, or safety, and connecting clients to resources and services.

What is the significance of a client-centered approach in planning?

A client-centered approach ensures that the intervention plan aligns with the client’s preferences, needs, and goals, enhancing engagement and success.

How do social workers assess for burnout in caregivers?

By exploring signs of emotional exhaustion, changes in behavior, and challenges in managing responsibilities, and offering appropriate support.

What is the role of contingency plans in managing risks?

Contingency plans outline alternative strategies to address unexpected challenges, ensuring continuity and stability in interventions.

How do social workers assess for educational barriers?

By examining factors like learning disabilities, lack of resources, or systemic inequities affecting the client’s educational progress.

What is the importance of follow-up assessments?

Follow-up assessments monitor the client’s progress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and identify ongoing or new needs.

How do social workers use strengths-based assessments?

By focusing on the client’s capabilities and resources, social workers create empowering and solutions-oriented intervention plans.

What is the impact of intersectionality on assessment?

Intersectionality highlights how overlapping identities (e.g., race, gender, class) influence the client’s experiences and challenges, guiding comprehensive care.

How do social workers assess for interpersonal conflicts?

By exploring the client’s relationships, communication styles, and conflict resolution skills, identifying patterns that impact well-being.

What is the purpose of client advocacy in intervention planning?

Advocacy ensures that clients have access to necessary resources, rights, and services, addressing systemic barriers and promoting equity.

How do social workers assess for coping skills?

By discussing how clients manage stress and adversity, identifying effective strategies, and addressing maladaptive behaviors.

What is the role of safety planning in social work?

Safety planning involves creating actionable steps to protect the client or others from harm, especially in cases of abuse or suicidal ideation.

How do social workers incorporate evidence-based practices into planning?

By using interventions supported by research to ensure effectiveness and tailoring them to meet the client’s unique needs.

What is the significance of empowerment in assessment and intervention?

Empowerment fosters the client’s confidence and autonomy, enabling them to actively participate in achieving their goals.

How do social workers assess for cultural identity?

By exploring the client’s values, traditions, and experiences related to their cultural background, ensuring culturally sensitive care.

What is the purpose of family assessments in intervention planning?

Family assessments examine dynamics, communication patterns, and support systems, identifying areas that influence the client’s well-being.

How do social workers address barriers to accessing services?

By identifying obstacles such as transportation, language, or stigma, and providing resources or advocacy to overcome them.

What is a task-centered approach in intervention planning?

This approach focuses on breaking down goals into manageable tasks, promoting short-term problem-solving and immediate progress.

How do social workers use reflective listening in assessments?

Reflective listening builds trust and ensures accurate understanding of the client’s experiences, fostering effective communication.

What is the role of boundary setting in intervention planning?

Setting clear boundaries ensures a professional and ethical relationship, protecting both the client and the social worker.

How do social workers assess the client’s motivation for change?

By exploring the client’s readiness, confidence, and willingness to take steps toward their goals, using models like the Stages of Change.

What is the purpose of crisis assessment?

Crisis assessment evaluates the severity and immediacy of a client’s situation, informing interventions to stabilize and support them.

How do social workers evaluate the success of interventions?

By comparing outcomes with the goals set in the intervention plan, gathering client feedback, and reviewing measurable progress.

What is the importance of transparency in intervention planning?

Transparency fosters trust, ensuring that clients understand the purpose, process, and potential outcomes of their plans.

How do social workers assess for emotional and psychological stressors?

By exploring the client’s experiences, behaviors, and coping mechanisms, identifying areas that impact their mental health.

What is the role of cultural sensitivity in assessment?

Cultural sensitivity ensures respect and inclusion of the client’s cultural identity, minimizing biases and enhancing intervention effectiveness.

How do social workers assess for systemic oppression during intake?

By discussing the client’s experiences with discrimination, barriers, and access to resources, addressing inequities in planning.

What is the significance of collaborative goal setting in intervention planning?

Collaborative goal setting ensures the client’s active involvement, increasing motivation and ownership of the process.

How do social workers address ethical challenges in complex cases?

By consulting with supervisors, adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics, and prioritizing the client’s best interests.

What is the importance of flexibility in intervention planning?

Flexibility allows for adjustments as the client’s needs or circumstances change, ensuring the plan remains relevant and effective.

How do social workers assess for spiritual or religious needs?

By discussing the client’s beliefs and practices and their role in coping and decision-making, incorporating them into planning if relevant.

What is the purpose of structured interviews in assessment?

Structured interviews provide consistent and comprehensive data collection, ensuring key areas are addressed systematically.

How do social workers evaluate social support networks?

By identifying the client’s relationships and community connections, assessing their quality and availability for support.

What is the role of critical thinking in intervention planning?

Critical thinking helps analyze complex situations, weigh options, and create tailored, evidence-based plans for the client.

How do social workers assess for abuse or neglect?

By observing physical and emotional signs, asking sensitive questions, and using validated tools to evaluate safety concerns.

What is the significance of client empowerment in assessment?

Empowering clients encourages active participation in the process, building confidence and capacity for achieving their goals.

How do social workers handle conflicting client and family goals?

By facilitating open communication, identifying common ground, and balancing individual and collective needs.

What is the purpose of a termination plan?

A termination plan prepares clients for the end of services, ensuring continuity of care through referrals and follow-up resources.

How do social workers ensure ethical documentation?

By recording accurate, objective, and timely information that respects client confidentiality and meets professional standards.

What is an experimental design?

A research design where participants are randomly assigned to groups, and an independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on a dependent variable.

Name three types of antidepressants.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Hoarding Disorder

Persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of value. • Example: Living in cluttered conditions due to excessive saving.

Substance Use Disorder

Problematic use of substances leading to impairment or distress. • Example: Continued alcohol use despite relationship and work problems.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Brain dysfunction caused by external force (e.g., fall, accident). • Symptoms: Confusion, memory loss, mood changes.

Assessment

Gathering client information to identify strengths, needs, and concerns.

Planning

Developing goals and intervention strategies to address client needs.

Termination

Ending services while ensuring follow-up care and evaluation of progress.

Independent Variable

The factor that is intentionally changed or controlled in an experiment to observe its effect. The variable manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The outcome being measured in research.

Cross-Sequential Design

Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal methods to study multiple groups over time.

Tourette’s Disorder

• A neurological disorder characterized by the presence of both motor and vocal tics that persist for at least 1 year. • Motor Tics: Sudden, brief, repetitive movements (e.g., blinking, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing). • Vocal Tics: Involuntary sounds or words (e.g., throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, or shouting). • Example: A child repeatedly blinking (motor tic) and making a humming sound (vocal tic) without control.

What are antianxiety medications primarily used for?

Treating anxiety disorders and acute anxiety symptoms.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Chronic mood fluctuations with periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting 2+ years (1 year in children). • Example: Frequent mood swings between mild highs and lows without severe episodes.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder with alternating manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes.

Bipolar I Disorder

At least one manic episode lasting 7+ days or requiring hospitalization, often followed by depression. • Manic Episode: Elevated mood, high energy, risky behaviors. • Example: Staying awake for days, impulsive spending, grandiosity.

Bipolar II Disorder

At least one hypomanic episode (4+ days) and one major depressive episode. No full manic episodes. • Example: Feeling very productive for days, followed by weeks of sadness.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Chronic mood fluctuations with periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting 2+ years (1 year in children). • Example: Frequent mood swings between mild highs and lows without severe episodes.

Manic Episode

A period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and increased energy lasting at least 1 week. • Symptoms: Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, Decreased need for sleep, Racing thoughts or flight of ideas, Increased talkativeness, Risky behaviors (e.g., overspending, reckless driving), • Impact: Causes significant impairment in functioning and may require hospitalization. • Example: A person starts multiple unrealistic projects, spends excessively, and sleeps very little for several days.

Hypomanic Episode

• A less severe form of a manic episode with elevated mood or irritability lasting at least 4 consecutive days. • Symptoms: Similar to mania but less intense:, Increased energy or productivity, Reduced need for sleep, Grandiosity or inflated self-confidence, Talkativeness and racing thoughts • Impact: Does not cause significant functional impairment or hospitalization. • Example: A person feels unusually energetic, starts new projects, and works efficiently without disruption.

Intervention

The process of implementing strategies to address a client’s identified problems, needs, or goals. Steps: Selecting appropriate methods (e.g., counseling, referrals, psychoeducation), Collaborating with clients to develop solutions,Monitoring and adjusting the intervention as needed • Example: Providing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help a client manage anxiety.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that occurs in two or more settings (e.g., school, home). • Symptoms: o Inattention: Difficulty focusing, frequent mistakes, losing items. o Hyperactivity: Fidgeting, talking excessively, difficulty sitting still. • Example: Struggles to complete homework at home and frequently disrupts class at school.

Conduct Disorder

A behavioral disorder in children marked by repetitive violations of social norms and others' rights. • Symptoms: Aggression, destruction of property, theft, deceitfulness. • Example: A child frequently bullies peers and engages in vandalism.

Name a commonly prescribed antianxiety medication.

Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam or alprazolam.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

A disorder characterized by defiant, angry, and argumentative behaviors in children. • Symptoms: o Often argues with authority figures o Refuses to comply with rules o Deliberately annoys others. • Example: A child frequently refuses to follow teacher instructions and argues when corrected.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder involving challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. • Symptoms: o Difficulty with eye contact, gestures, and understanding social cues. o Repetitive movements or speech. o Sensory sensitivities (e.g., disliking loud noises). • Example: A child avoids playing with peers and repeats the same phrases.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Excessive fear or anxiety about being apart from attachment figures, common in children. • Symptoms: o Refusing to go to school o Nightmares about separation o Physical complaints (e.g., stomachaches) when separated. • Example: A child cries excessively when dropped off at school.

Enuresis (Bedwetting)

Repeated involuntary urination during the day or night in children aged 5 years or older. • Example: A 7-year-old wets the bed at least twice a week for three months.

Encopresis

Repeated involuntary or intentional passage of feces in inappropriate places in children aged 4 years or older. • Example: A 6-year-old soils their underwear despite being toilet trained.

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

A condition in children caused by neglect or inconsistent caregiving, leading to difficulty forming healthy attachments. • Symptoms: o Emotionally withdrawn behavior o Failure to seek comfort when distressed o Limited positive emotions. • Example: A child avoids hugs and refuses comfort when upset.

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)

A disorder in children characterized by inappropriate, overly familiar behavior with unfamiliar adults due to neglect or insufficient caregiving. • Symptoms: o Reduced or absent fear of strangers. o Willingness to approach and interact with unfamiliar adults. o Limited checking back with caregivers, even in unfamiliar settings. • Example: A child runs up to an unknown adult in a park, asking for a hug and acting as though they know them.

What conditions are stimulants commonly prescribed for?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Name a commonly prescribed stimulant.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts (Adderall).

Biopsychosocial Assessment

A comprehensive assessment that explores biological, psychological, and social factors affecting a client’s functioning and well-being. • Key Focus: Looks at health history, mental health symptoms, and social/environmental influences.

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

A 21-item self-report questionnaire used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. • Scoring: Higher scores indicate more severe depression.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

A standardized psychometric test to assess personality traits and psychopathology. • Use: Helps diagnose mental disorders.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

A projective test where individuals interpret inkblots to uncover unconscious thoughts. • Use: Evaluates personality structure and emotional functioning.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

An IQ test that measures cognitive ability in adults. • Components: Verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.

What is a quasi-experimental design?

A research design that lacks random assignment but includes an intervention and comparison to assess causal relationships.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test where individuals create stories about ambiguous pictures. • Use: Evaluates emotions, motivations, and unresolved conflicts.

Mental Status Exam (MSE)

A structured assessment of a client’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. • Components: Appearance, speech, mood, thought process, cognition, insight, and judgment.

Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE)

A brief test to assess cognitive functioning, particularly for dementia. • Scoring: Out of 30 points; lower scores suggest cognitive impairment.

Safety Planning

Developing a plan to ensure safety during crises, especially for suicide risk or IPV. • Components: Warning signs, coping strategies, support contacts, and safe places.

Delirium

A sudden, reversible cognitive disturbance caused by medical conditions or substances. • Features: Disorientation, hallucinations, and fluctuating levels of consciousness.

Dementia

A progressive decline in cognitive function, memory, and executive functioning. • Example: Alzheimer’s disease.

Hallucinations

False sensory perceptions without external stimuli. • Types: Auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory.

Delusions

Fixed, false beliefs that are not grounded in reality. • Types: Persecutory, grandiose, and somatic.

Eating Disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa: Restrictive eating, intense fear of weight gain. • Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors. • Binge Eating Disorder: Recurrent binge eating without purging. • Pica: Eating non-nutritive substances. • Rumination Disorder: Repeated regurgitation of food.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or scrutiny.

What is a randomized control design?

A type of experimental design considered the gold standard for determining causality, involving random assignment and control groups.

Factitious Disorder by Proxy

Inducing illness in another person to gain attention or sympathy.

Malingering

Intentionally faking or exaggerating symptoms for external benefits (e.g., money, avoiding work)

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Preoccupation with having a serious illness despite minimal symptoms.

Paraphilic Disorders

Intense and atypical sexual urges causing distress or harm.

Personality Disorders Types:

:

o Cluster A: Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal. o Cluster B: Borderline, Antisocial, Narcissistic, Histrionic. o Cluster C: Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive.

Childhood Disorders

• Examples: ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Developmental disorder with social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.

Gambling Disorder

Persistent, problematic gambling behavior despite negative consequences.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Pervasive distrust and suspicion of others. • Features: Believes others are deceitful, holds grudges, perceives innocent remarks as threats.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Detachment from social relationships and restricted emotional expression. • Features: Prefers solitude, little interest in close relationships, emotionally cold.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Acute discomfort in close relationships, eccentric behaviors, and odd beliefs. • Features: Magical thinking, unusual speech patterns, social anxiety, odd appearance.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions with impulsive behaviors. • Features: Fear of abandonment, mood swings, impulsivity, self-harm, chronic feelings of emptiness.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors. • Features: Dramatic, seeks approval, easily influenced, considers relationships more intimate than they are.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. • Features: Exaggerated sense of importance, entitlement, preoccupation with fantasies of power or success.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Disregard for and violation of the rights of others. • Features: Deceitfulness, impulsivity, irritability, lack of remorse, repeated unlawful behaviors.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism. • Features: Avoids social situations, fears rejection, sees self as socially inept.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Excessive need to be cared for, leading to submissive and clingy behavior. • Features: Difficulty making decisions, relies on others, fears being alone.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. • Features: Inflexible, over-focused on rules and details, reluctant to delegate tasks, workaholic tendencies.

Genogram

A visual diagram representing family relationships, patterns, and medical or behavioral histories across generations. • Use: Helps identify family dynamics, hereditary issues, and social systems.

Active Listening

Fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what a client is saying. • Features: Eye contact, open body language, paraphrasing, and reflecting feelings.

Organic Disorders

Disorders caused by physical or medical conditions affecting brain function. • Examples: Dementia, delirium, traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Collateral Information

Data gathered from individuals or sources other than the client (e.g., family, medical records). • Use: Provides a fuller picture of the client’s history and functioning.

Insight

A client’s awareness and understanding of their own thoughts, behaviors, and mental health issues. • Levels: Good, partial, or poor insight.

Affect

The observable expression of emotions (e.g., flat, blunted, labile, inappropriate). • Example: Smiling while expressing sadness is inappropriate affect.

Encopresis

Repeated involuntary defecation in inappropriate places in children older than age 4. • Features: Often linked to constipation or behavioral concerns.

Social Work Helping Process

A structured approach in social work involving: Engagement → Assessment → Planning → Intervention → Evaluation → Termination.

Reliability

Consistency of a measure or assessment tool over time. • Example: A test yields similar results across repeated administrations.

Validity

The extent to which an assessment tool measures what it is intended to measure.

SOAP Assessment

A structured note-taking format: o S: Subjective (client report) o O: Objective (observations, facts) o A: Assessment (clinician’s interpretation) o P: Plan (next steps).

Formative Evaluation

Ongoing evaluation during an intervention to improve effectiveness. • Example: Feedback gathered mid-program to adjust strategies.

Summative Evaluation

Evaluation conducted at the end of an intervention to measure overall outcomes. • Example: Final program effectiveness report.

Single Subject Design

Research design focusing on one subject over time to evaluate intervention effectiveness • Example: A-B-A design (baseline, intervention, return to baseline)

Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI)

A psychological test used to assess personality disorders and clinical syndromes. • Use: Helps with diagnosis and treatment planning.

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

A standardized test measuring cognitive abilities and intelligence. • Components: Measures reasoning, knowledge, and problem-solving.

External Validity

The extent to which research findings can be generalized to real-world settings.

Predictive Validity

The degree to which a test can predict future outcomes. • Example: SAT scores predicting college success.

Concurrent Validity

The extent to which a test correlates with an existing, established measure. • Example: Comparing a new depression scale with the BDI.

Qualitative Data

Non-numerical data describing characteristics, experiences, or behaviors. • Examples: Interviews, narratives, observations.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data used to measure variables and analyze statistical relationships. • Examples: Surveys, test scores, structured observations.

Cross-Sectional Design

A research method that studies different groups of people at one point in time. • Use: Identifies differences across age, demographics, or other variables.

What is tardive dyskinesia?

A side effect of long-term use of antipsychotics, characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, often of the face and tongue.

Psychosocial Stress

Stress caused by social and psychological factors (e.g., relationships, finances, work). • Example: Stress from job loss or marital conflict.

Risk Assessment

Process of evaluating potential risks (e.g., harm to self/others, neglect) in a client’s environment or behavior. • Use: Guides safety planning and intervention.

Engagement

The initial phase of the helping process where rapport, trust, and a working relationship are established. • Key Skills: Active listening, empathy, and client-centered communication.

Macro Social Work

Focus on large systems such as communities, organizations, and policies. • Example: Advocacy, community organizing, policy development.

Micro Social Work

Focus on individuals or small groups for direct practice and intervention. • Example: Counseling, case management.

Mezzo Social Work

Focus on mid-level systems such as families, groups, and organizations. • Example: Support groups, family therapy, organizational consulting.

Trauma-Informed Care

An approach that recognizes, understands, and responds to the impact of trauma on clients. • Principles: Safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity.

Crisis Plans

A plan developed to help clients respond to crisis situations safely and effectively. • Components: Warning signs, coping strategies, emergency contacts, and safety steps.

Discharge (Follow-Up Care)

The final phase of care, ensuring continuity of support after services end. • Key Steps: Referrals, follow-up appointments, and client education.

Longitudinal Design

Research that studies the same group of people over a long period of time. • Use: Identifies developmental trends or long-term outcomes.

Experimental/Randomized Control

A research design where participants are randomly assigned to control and experimental groups to test interventions. • Strength: High internal validity

Quasi-Experimental Design

A research method similar to experimental design but lacking random assignment. • Use: Often used in real-world settings when randomization isn’t feasible.

Disorientation

A state of mental confusion where a person is unaware of time, place, or identity. • Types: o Time disorientation: Not knowing the current date or time. o Place disorientation: Uncertainty about current location. o Person disorientation: Failure to recognize oneself or others. • Example: A person with dementia may not recognize their own home or forget their age.

Grandiose

An inflated sense of self-importance, power, or abilities. • Associated Disorders: Bipolar I (during manic episodes), Narcissistic Personality Disorder. • Example: Believing one has special powers to influence world events.

Somatic

Relating to physical symptoms that are caused or exacerbated by psychological distress. • Example: Stress causing headaches, stomach pain, or fatigue without a medical cause.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

A trauma-related disorder lasting from 3 days to 1 month after exposure to a traumatic event. • Symptoms: Intrusive thoughts, dissociation, avoidance, hyperarousal. • Example: Experiencing flashbacks after a car accident.

Panic Attacks

Sudden and intense periods of fear or discomfort peaking within minutes. • Symptoms: Palpitations, shortness of breath, trembling, dizziness, depersonalization. • Example: Feeling unable to breathe while in a crowded elevator.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life for at least 6 months. • Symptoms: Restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension. • Example: Constant worrying about finances, work, and relationships.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder resulting from exposure to trauma, with symptoms lasting more than 1 month. • Symptoms: o Re-experiencing trauma (flashbacks, nightmares). o Avoidance of reminders. o Negative changes in thoughts/moods. o Hypervigilance. • Example: A veteran avoiding fireworks due to combat memories.

Agoraphobia

Intense fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable. • Examples: o Avoiding open spaces, public transportation, or crowded places. o Refusing to leave home alone.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Chronic low-grade depression lasting at least 2 years (adults) or 1 year (children). • Example: Feeling consistently sad, tired, and unmotivated over years.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Persistent low mood, loss of interest, and associated symptoms for at least 2 weeks. • Symptoms: Fatigue, sleep issues, hopelessness, suicidal ideation.

Dissociative Disorders

Conditions involving disruptions in memory, identity, perception, or consciousness. • Types: o Dissociative Amnesia: Memory loss of personal information. o Depersonalization: Feeling detached from oneself. o Dissociative Identity Disorder: Presence of two or more distinct identities.

Conversion Disorder

Neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, seizures) without medical cause, often triggered by stress. • Example: Sudden inability to walk after witnessing a traumatic event.

Factitious Disorder

Intentionally faking or producing physical/mental symptoms to assume the sick role.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Excessive focus on physical symptoms causing significant distress and impairment.

Prolonged Grief Disorder

Persistent and impairing grief lasting longer than culturally expected. • Timeline: o Adults: Grief lasting >12 months. o Children: Grief lasting >6 months.

Sexual Dysfunctions

Disorders affecting sexual desire, arousal, or performance. • Examples: Erectile dysfunction, female orgasmic disorder.

What are antidepressants used to treat?

Depression, anxiety disorders, and other mood-related conditions.

What are antimanic agents used for?

To treat and prevent manic episodes in bipolar disorder.

What are antipsychotics used to treat?

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression.

Name four categories of psychotropic medications.

Antipsychotics, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and stimulants.

What are psychotropic medications?

Medications that affect brain chemistry and are used to treat mental health disorders.

Masters Level Flashcards: Assessment and Intervention Planning

Masters Level Flashcards: Assessment and Intervention Planning

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