ASWB Clinical Prep Online

Depression and problematic alcohol use commonly interact and worsen one another, so initial planning should generally use an integrated approach that addresses both conditions concurrently and coordinates appropriate services (e.g., psychotherapy, substance use counseling, mutual-help supports, and referral for medical/psychiatric evaluation when indicated). The choices suggesting treatment of only one condition first risk missing how alcohol can exacerbate depressive symptoms and how depression can drive continued use, reducing overall effectiveness. The choice focused on delaying referrals and simply reassessing later does not match appropriate treatment planning once clinically significant co-occurring concerns have been identified.

Psychological First Aid is designed for the immediate aftermath of trauma to promote safety, stabilization, practical assistance, and connection to supports, while reducing initial distress and encouraging adaptive coping. The choice describing trauma-focused CBT is typically used as a formal treatment when symptoms persist and the client is ready for structured trauma processing (often after initial stabilization), rather than as the first-step crisis response in the first few days. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based treatment for chronic emotion dysregulation (such as borderline personality disorder) and is not the standard immediate post-trauma intervention. Psychoanalytic therapy focuses on insight into unconscious processes and is generally not a first-line approach for acute stabilization in the immediate post-trauma window.

Informed consent requires that the client receive information about the purpose/goals of treatment, potential benefits and risks, reasonable alternatives (including no treatment), and the likely consequences of declining treatment, in a manner the client can understand. Because Jesse may have cognitive processing challenges, the clinician should adapt communication (for example, using plain language and written materials) and verify comprehension (for example, teach-back) before proceeding. The choices that avoid key informed-consent elements or skip checking understanding do not ensure informed consent. Contacting a support network without authorization also raises confidentiality concerns and is not the first step for obtaining the client’s informed consent.