WEEK FIVE ASSIGNMENT 1
Role Playing Practice: Using the CFI to Individualize Anxiety Care
Walden University
My partner is Toni Smith, she identifies as an American Caucasian female who lives in
Florida. She is a single mother and student, who has a presenting issue of fear of public speaking.
She reports that she feel anxious when she has to speak in front of crowds or groups (i.e.
presenting in front of her peers and instructor in class). She noted that when she first started
social work she became really nervous when speaking to clients and patients. When asked about
what troubles her most with her problem is that she is afraid to say the wrong thing or not being
able to explain her thoughts in a conducive and well thought-out manner.
The social work abilities and techniques that I used in our role-playing interview was that
I was attentive to her issues. I asked open ended questions and allowed her the time to speak. I
exhibited active and reflective listening when as she explained her presenting issues. I was able
to use empathy and come to a place of understanding for Toni. I was able to ask further questions
to prompt answers if questions were too complex to answer. The CFI simplified the recreation of
the Toni’s own history of her disorder.
There were a few questions of the CFI that were the most helpful in learning about my
partner’s view of her fear of public speaking. The first being, Cause: “Why do you think the
problem is happening to you? What do you think are the causes of your problem?” This was
helpful because it allowed me to see how Toni understood her problem. Her answer allowed me
