Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

For a 67-year-old woman addressing feelings of depression after her husband's passing, what should be included in treatment objectives?

1. Referral for medication management

2. Encouragement to work part-time

3. Life review techniques to process feelings

4. Group therapy to connect with others

The correct answer is: Life review techniques to process feelings

Including life review techniques in the treatment objectives for a 67-year-old woman dealing with feelings of depression after her husband's passing is particularly beneficial as it allows her to reflect on her life experiences, relationships, and the significance of her husband in her life. Life review can facilitate the processing of grief and help individuals to find meaning and a sense of closure. This approach can foster emotional healing by encouraging the expression of feelings, recollection of positive memories, and recognition of life’s transitions. Life review techniques are particularly effective for older adults as they can promote self-acceptance and resilience while helping to integrate past experiences into her current identity. In the context of grief and loss, such techniques can also provide a platform for exploring unresolved issues related to her husband's passing, facilitating emotional expression, and enhancing overall mental well-being. Other treatment objectives, while potentially useful in their own right, might not directly address the immediate emotional processes associated with grief. For instance, referral for medication management may support symptom relief, but it doesn't inherently provide a way to process feelings. Similarly, working part-time or joining group therapy can promote social engagement and may have their merits, but life review specifically targets the internal emotional landscape that is fundamental in navigating grief and depression after a significant loss.