Blog | SWTP

Mar

26

The dynamics of interpersonal relationships

March 26, 2025 | knowledge | practice | theory

Here's a over-broad ASWB exam content outline item: The dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Like, all the dynamics? Let's look at the essentials, some theories, and then try out a practice question on the material.

knowledge | practice | theory

Oct

07

Communication theories and styles

October 7, 2024 | knowledge | theory

From the HBSE section of the ASWB exam outline, let's look at Communication theories and styles. The material explores how social workers interact with clients, collaborate with colleagues, and advocate for policy changes.

knowledge | theory

Sep

13

Theories of social change and community development

September 13, 2024 | knowledge | theory

Next stop on our ASWB exam content outline tour: Theories of social change and community development. Let's look at the theories and then at how they might appear on the social work exam.

knowledge | theory

Sep

04

Role theory

September 4, 2024 | knowledge | theory

Here's an ASWB exam content outline item worth reviewing (mainly because you may know nothing about the not often spotlighted concept): Role theory. Let's learn about it and then look at how the topic might appear on the social work exam.

knowledge | theory

Aug

21

Personality theories

August 21, 2024 | knowledge | theory

Continuing our ASWB exam content outline sojourn, we come to this: Personality theories. What about personality theories? Let's theorize about what the ASWB is looking for and how the material may appear on the social work exam.

knowledge | theory

Jul

01

Family therapy models, interventions, and approaches

July 1, 2024 | theory | knowledge

Next up in our adventure tour of the ASWB exam outline: Family therapy models, interventions, and approaches. Let's take a look at the topic and then at how this material may appear on the social work licensing exam. Ready...? Let's go.

theory | knowledge

May

20

Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches

May 20, 2024 | knowledge | theory

From the intervention section of the ASWB exam outline, let's look at psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches and how they may appear on the social work exam.

knowledge | theory

May

15

Addiction theories and concepts

May 15, 2024 | knowledge | theory

Next up as we tour the ASWB exam content outline: Addiction theories and concepts. This is another one of those broad topic areas that could encompass more information than you could possibly have at your fingertips on exam day.

knowledge | theory

Apr

29

Theories of sexual development throughout the lifespan

April 29, 2024 | knowledge | theory

From the Human Growth and Development section of the ASWB exam outline, here's a good-to-be-familiar-with item: Theories of sexual development throughout the lifespan.

knowledge | theory

Apr

12

Crisis intervention and treatment approaches

April 12, 2024 | knowledge | theory | practice

Next up as we jump around in the ASWB exam content outline: Crisis intervention and treatment approaches. This review will be a good overall look at key treatment approaches in social work.

knowledge | theory | practice

Apr

01

Group work techniques and approaches

April 1, 2024 | theory | knowledge

Next up in our foray into the ASWB exam content outline: Group work techniques and approaches (e.g., developing and managing group processes and cohesion). Let's walk through the topic then look at home it might appear on the social work exam.

theory | knowledge

Feb

09

Psychological defense mechanisms and their effects on behavior and relationships

February 9, 2024 | knowledge | theory

The ASWB exam content outline journeys into ego psychology with this item: Psychological defense mechanisms and their effects on behavior and relationships.

knowledge | theory

Feb

01

Congruence and Genuineness in Psychotherapy

February 1, 2024 | knowledge | theory

Congruence and genuineness are essential concepts in person-centered therapy developed by Carl Rogers. These terms are often used interchangeably and are crucial for building a therapeutic relationship.

knowledge | theory

Jan

17

Social Learning Theory

January 17, 2024 | knowledge | theory

Putting together the theories of human development a few posts ago, realized that we've somehow never posted about social learning theory here. Let's fix that and then take a look how this material may appear on the social work licensing exam.

knowledge | theory

Dec

21

Strengths-based and resilience theories

December 21, 2023 | knowledge | theory

Strengths-based and resilience theories is next up in our tour of the ASWB exam content outline. Let's take a look at the topic and how it may show up on the licensing exam. Strengths-Based Theory Strengths-

knowledge | theory

Oct

17

Theories of Conflict and the Social Work Exam

October 17, 2023 | theory | knowledge | practice

Here's another item from the ASWB exam content outline worth of look: theories of conflict. It's in the HBSE section of a social work exam--

theory | knowledge | practice

Oct

07

Feminist Theory and the Social Work Exam

October 7, 2023 | theory | knowledge | practice

Another item on the ASWB's exam outline: feminist theory. Let's review to get you ready to handle any feminist theory questions that come up on the social work licensing exam. We'll finish with a free practice question.

theory | knowledge | practice

Sep

19

Theories of racial, ethnic, and cultural development throughout the lifespan

September 19, 2023 | knowledge | practice | theory

Here's a item straight from the ASWB content outline: Theories of racial, ethnic, and cultural development throughout the lifespan. You may know them well; they may be entirely new to you.

knowledge | practice | theory

Aug

10

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

August 10, 2023 | theory | knowledge | practice

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow in the 1940s. The theory suggests that individuals have a hierarchy of needs that must be fulfilled to realize one's full potential.

theory | knowledge | practice

Aug

07

A Freud Primer

August 7, 2023 | theory | knowledge | practice

Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) was the founder of psychoanalysis. His groundbreaking work delved into the unconscious mind, proposing that it influences human behavior and emotions.

theory | knowledge | practice

Aug

04

Theories of Couples Development

August 4, 2023 | knowledge | theory | practice

A couple has recently started dating and is in the early stages of their relationship. They have just begun to share more personal information with each other, and their interactions are becoming more frequent and intimate.

knowledge | theory | practice

Aug

03

Understanding Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

August 3, 2023 | knowledge | theory | practice

Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development was developed in the 1950s and 1960s, outlining the stages individuals progress through in their moral reasoning from childhood to adulthood.

knowledge | theory | practice

Jul

25

The Theorists

July 25, 2023 | knowledge | theory

Toward a possible big book of exam content, here are some key theorists and their theories--

knowledge | theory

Apr

01

Maslow for the Social Work Exam

April 1, 2015 | knowledge | theory

It's Abraham Maslow's birthday (4/1). Happy Birthday, Maslow! It's as good a time as any to review Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Picture it as a big, pyramidal birthday cake, if that helps you get them understood.

knowledge | theory

Jul

07

Interpersonal Psychotherapy and the Social Work Exam

July 7, 2014 | knowledge | theory

What is Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)? We could go into some detail, but then Wikipedia has it laid out so nicely, why waste your time?

knowledge | theory

Jun

18

Defense Mechanisms and the Social Work Exam

June 18, 2014 | knowledge | theory

One way to anticipate what may appear on the social work licensing exam is to think what you might write as a question if the task fell to you.

knowledge | theory

May

27

The Transtheoretical Model and the Social Work Exam

May 27, 2014 | knowledge | theory

While the social work exam may not refer to the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), there's a pretty good chance you'll encounter an exam question about the Stages of Change.

knowledge | theory

May

22

Bowenian Family Therapy and the Social Work Exam

May 22, 2014 | knowledge | theory | video

Murray Bowen is credited by some with generating a wholly new way of thinking about human behavior. That new way: Family Systems Theory, put into action as Bowenian Famliy Therapy.

knowledge | theory | video

May

14

Crisis Intervention and the Social Work Exam

May 14, 2014 | knowledge | theory

While touring various theories and interventions that may come up on the social work exam, don't forget to take some time for something that you can be fairly certain to encounter on the big test (and in social work practice): crisis intervention.

knowledge | theory

May

08

Existential Therapy and the Social Work Exam

May 8, 2014 | knowledge | theory

Did you have to read The Stranger or maybe some Sartre in school? If so, you know something about existentialism. If not, or if you need brushing up, here's Merriam-

knowledge | theory

May

05

Gestalt Therapy and the Social Work Exam

May 5, 2014 | knowledge | theory

Once you've got down the basics--CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and the like--you're ready to dig deeper in your licensing exam prep. That means you'll be putting together knowledge about material that may not actually appear on the exam.

knowledge | theory

May

03

Psychodynamic Therapy and the Social Work Exam

May 3, 2014 | knowledge | theory

For most vignette questions on the social work licensing exam where a client presents with a problem and the social worker needs to choose the BEST intervention, you'll be given a choice between something here-and-now, problem-

knowledge | theory

Apr

21

DBT and the Social Work Exam

April 21, 2014 | knowledge | theory

Here's another therapy you shouldn't be surprised to see appear on the social work licensing exam: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). What's DBT? Here are some quick answers to that question--

knowledge | theory

Apr

08

CBT and the Social Work Exam

April 8, 2014 | knowledge | theory

A good general guideline for the social work licensing exam: "When in doubt, it's CBT." Why? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is research validated therapy practice. That is, it works--studies say so.

knowledge | theory

Oct

02

Kohlberg and the Social Work Exam

October 2, 2013 | knowledge | video | theory

Worth reviewing for the social work licensing exam, Lawrence Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development. Pick your source--they all say more-or-less the same thing: from SimplyPsych from Wikipedia from About Here's a video walk-

knowledge | video | theory

Jan

17

Understanding Attachment Theory

January 17, 2013 | knowledge | video | theory

Attachment in eight minutes: Find more helpful video on SWTP's YouTube channel. Too long; didn't watch?

knowledge | video | theory

Mar

13

Murray Bowen

March 13, 2009 | theory | knowledge | video

What do these concepts all have in common?

theory | knowledge | video

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