My Study Process :: Passing the LISW Exam

I was grateful that going into studying for the test I already knew the therapy theories especially family therapies really well from my background in taking the Marriage and Family Therapy national exam 5 years ago when I thought I was going to fully pursue Marriage and Family Therapy.

Studying in 2 weeks is a pretty big task though and I knew that it was (not to mention full-time job, wife, mother, runner). Per my coworker Mercedes she scheduled the test and then just did it. Once you get into the study portion and look at the ASWB study guide it is not nearly as intimidating as it initially seems.

ASWB Practice Test - $85 and yes it was worth it - a couple of these questions were on the exam

Pinterest: allowingmyself - my board "To Study for the LISW Exam"

Filled out my responses to the ASWB Clinical Exam Content utilizing:
- Beating the Social Work Exam - best blog - "KSA of the Day" was most helpful
- The Social Work Exam - general information - easy to find
- LCSW Study Buddy - good info on how to pass
- Free Practice Tests
- Therapist Development Center - good sample questions
- Social Work Scrapbook - a down-right cool blog
- Suicide Warning Signs
- About Childhood Trauma
- Diagnostic Information - disorders & medications
- Helpful website - oppositional defiant disorder & conduct disorder

- Addictions

- Perpetrators Information - Physical/Emotional/Sexual Abuse, Neglect

- Child Neglect
- Couples Therapy - a good article

Didn't really use but found them interesting:
- Audio Clips of Theories
- SW Dictionary Flash cards
- More Flash cards
- Social Work Podcast

READING THE SW CODE OF ETHICS

Reading Wikipedia for DSM diagnoses - Bipolar I & II; Schizophrenia Types; Major Depression; Dsthymia; Cyclothymia; Paraphilic disorders 

A Friend's Flashcards - helped when I saw "I AM GOING TO BEAT THIS TEST" - it's amazing how one can psych herself out...so don't...don't psych yourself out.

National-Clinical Social Work Exam

The night before...am I freaked out...it's complicated...do I believe I will pass "yes" and the mantra I will take tomorrow morning at 8:00am is "I'm gonna beat this test".

The more I think about it the more nervous I am. I have consistently studied for two weeks now and I'm exhausted from it. I've done it the way I learn best, through Pinterest, writing out tutorials for others, listening to a CD of a "review" for the exam and even looking over some Youtube videos, reading through flashcards from a coworker of mine and writing out explanations I don't understanding along with drugs I've never seen before and lastly practice test questions (A LOT OF QUESTIONS).

I'm nervous...nervous...grateful...hopeful...anticipating and so hoping my alarm clock goes off!!

Anxiety does weird things to relatively normal people...it does...bad habits start to creep in, in order to cope and trying to remain healthy is a hard and intentional task. But here I am depending on the Lord who has shown me that HE has his plan and I feel this is part of his plan. I also pray it is part of His plan because sometimes I do wonder if my selfish ambition takes over...really wonder but doors have been shut and doors have been open. I'm almost there...