Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

What is the best initial approach for a social worker interviewing an anxious five-year-old girl?

1. Use direct questioning to understand her feelings

2. Introduce engaging play materials to lower anxiety

3. Schedule a follow-up meeting with the parents

4. Discuss her worries in detail

The correct answer is: Introduce engaging play materials to lower anxiety

Introducing engaging play materials as the initial approach when interviewing an anxious five-year-old girl is considered the best practice because young children often feel more comfortable expressing themselves through play rather than through verbal communication. Play serves as a vital medium for children, allowing them to demonstrate their thoughts and feelings in a more relaxed setting. When the social worker incorporates play materials, it helps to create a safe and inviting environment, reducing the child's anxiety, which can facilitate communication. This approach taps into the natural behavior of children, using play as a therapeutic tool to build rapport and trust. It allows the social worker to observe the child's interactions and emotional responses, which can provide important insights into her concerns without placing the child under the pressure of direct questioning. In contrast, using direct questioning or discussing worries in detail may overwhelm the child and exacerbate her anxiety. Scheduling a follow-up meeting with the parents, while important for gathering background information, does not address the immediate needs of the child during the initial session. Hence, engaging play materials is an effective strategy for easing anxiety and encouraging interaction.