Individual Practice SWES Practice Test

When assessing a 15-year-old girl referred for depression, what type of treatment is the intake worker most likely to recommend?

1. Long-term psychotherapy

2. Medication management

3. Short-term treatment

4. Group therapy

The correct answer is: Short-term treatment

In the context of assessing a 15-year-old girl for depression, recommending short-term treatment is often appropriate due to several factors related to adolescent mental health. Adolescents may benefit from interventions that provide quick relief from symptoms and engage them effectively without the commitment associated with longer-term therapies. Short-term treatment approaches can include cognitive-behavioral strategies or brief interventions that are goal-oriented and time-limited, making them suitable for a young population that might have limited attention spans or concerns about attending therapy long-term. These treatments can help establish coping strategies and provide immediate support, which is particularly valuable for teenagers who may be dealing with acute distress. Moreover, adolescents are in a developmental stage where they may prefer solutions that provide immediate and tangible results rather than prolonged therapeutic processes. Short-term treatment can be particularly effective in addressing situational factors contributing to depression, such as family dynamics, school stressors, or peer relationships, allowing the intake worker to cater the interventions to the specific needs that may arise during the initial assessment.