MSW MSW Master of Social Work Crisis Intervention and Trauma-Informed Practice 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which model is most commonly used as the foundational framework for crisis intervention in social work practice?
- Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model (Correct answer)
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
- Erikson's Psychosocial Development Model
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Model
Correct answer: Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model
Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model provides a structured, evidence-based approach widely used by social workers to assist individuals in acute crisis.
Question 2: In trauma-informed care, which of the following is NOT one of the six core principles identified by SAMHSA?
- Trustworthiness and Transparency
- Peer Support
- Empowerment and Choice
- Symptom Elimination (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Symptom Elimination
SAMHSA's six core principles of trauma-informed care include safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity — symptom elimination is not one of them.
Question 3: A social worker responds to a client experiencing acute suicidal ideation. What is the FIRST priority action?
- Assess the client's immediate safety and lethality (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to outpatient therapy
- Explore the client's childhood trauma history
- Administer a standardized depression inventory
Correct answer: Assess the client's immediate safety and lethality
Safety assessment and lethality evaluation are always the first priority when working with a client presenting with suicidal ideation.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the 'window of tolerance' concept used in trauma-informed practice?
- The optimal zone of arousal in which a person can process traumatic experiences (Correct answer)
- The time frame in which a client must report trauma to receive services
- The legal statute of limitations for trauma-related claims
- The number of sessions allowed under a trauma treatment protocol
Correct answer: The optimal zone of arousal in which a person can process traumatic experiences
The window of tolerance refers to the optimal arousal zone where a person can process difficult experiences without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down.
Question 5: When conducting a crisis assessment, the acronym 'IS PATH WARM' is used to identify risk factors for:
- Suicide (Correct answer)
- Domestic violence
- Substance abuse relapse
- Child abuse
Correct answer: Suicide
IS PATH WARM stands for Ideation, Substance abuse, Purposelessness, Anxiety, Trapped, Hopelessness, Withdrawal, Anger, Recklessness, and Mood changes — all warning signs of suicide risk.
Question 6: Psychological First Aid (PFA) is best described as:
- An evidence-informed approach to support people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event (Correct answer)
- A form of long-term psychotherapy for PTSD
- A diagnostic tool for acute stress disorder
- A medication management protocol for trauma survivors
Correct answer: An evidence-informed approach to support people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event
Psychological First Aid is an evidence-informed early intervention designed to reduce initial distress and foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning following a crisis.
MSW MSW Master of Social Work Crisis Intervention and Trauma-Informed Practice 1
Which model is most commonly used as the foundational framework for crisis intervention in social work practice?