Technique 7: Acting As If

How is the technique implemented?

 The acting as if strategy is used whenever a guidance counselor seeks to lead a student to their own resolution.  The counselor simply asks the client to act as if they had the skills necessary to handle their conflict.  After the client replies, the counselor can take their feedback and gear that towards manageable steps the client can make in the process of resolving conflict. 

What type of situation can the technique be applied to?

 This technique can be used when the client has low self-esteem or self-limiting thoughts.  By presenting the client with the opportunity to act how they want to act, you may encourage them that they are capable of these things but they just lacked the confidence.  This is where the counselor intervenes and tell the client that they must be willing to change in order to do something about their problems.  This technique can be used to help the student with a previously mentioned technique called flagging the minefield.  By acting as if, the client can see their strengths and weaknesses and mark potential future issue and work towards improvement in those categories.

What is your opinion of the technique?

I like this technique to help the student gain a sense of self-confidence.  If a student is shy or clearly is unwilling to confront an issue because they are timid, this strategy can help them to see that they can handle these issues as long as they can envision them.