Technique 16: Role Play

How is the technique implemented?

 Role-playing is very similar to aforementioned techniques in this blog.  It also follows a six stage process that involves: Warm-up, scene setting, selecting roles, enactment, feedback, and reenactment.  Essentially, the client is brought in and tells the counselor their issue.  They set up a similar scene and the client picks a role.  That role can either be of them self or of the person they are having conflict with.  The client and the counselor then act that out, give feedback, and possibly reenact using that feedback to see how an effective interaction would go.

What type of situation can the technique be applied to?

 Role playing can be used in similar fashion as the previous blog entry, behavior rehearsal.  This gives the opportunity for the client to prepare a reaction for a situation that they know they may eventually have to deal with.  In addition to that use of role play, this technique can be used to simulate a conversation with someone who the client wants to express an opinion to.

What is your opinion of the technique?

 I see role play as an effective technique that should be a part of every guidance counselors arsenal.  Giving your student or client the opportunity to see how their feeling are being conveyed and the potential responses they can be facing for that belief or feeling helps them to become better adapted individuals.