Part 1: Notes Review
I was taken aback by my ability to fit into an assumed client’s situation to the point of shading tears and feeling overcome with sorrow. Taking the role of a drug addict, assuming the adverse effects of drug addiction and feeling the strong urge to reform nearly brought tears to my eyes. However, as a group leader, one of the most critical aspects of counseling-oriented role-plays sessions identified/learned is that it can apply in virtually all aspects of life. I did note that the entire exercise is an effective strategy of addressing challenging and unfamiliar situations that may be difficult to deal with or resolve. In acting a given role, one can identify ways in which people behave or respond to a given situation, respond to a new approach and specific events. Notably, it also serves as a way of determining how to note counter-productive behaviors that one may find challenging to handle. All through a role-play, one can gain valuable insight into what others may feel as per a given situation.
Within the context of addictive treatment, role-play sessions are beneficial. I came to realize that as a form of therapy, it is instrumental in handling family and individual group treatments. Indeed, it allowed me to gain insight into how clients approach their situations and surroundings while at the same time, learn about others feelings. All through a given role-play exercise; a client can apply given opinions or expressions and move successfully to navigating engagements with others.
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I was most surprised by how easy it is to role-play the place of another in a given task. I understood that helping a client is practical when therapists take their part too, as the victim. However, taking up another’s role brings many mixed feelings that range from lack of confidence with the situation to feelings of empathy and sorrow. I felt sad about the part I was taking, but at the same time, I was eager to partake in the entire process of healing.
Part 2: Personal Boundaries
My boundary was strong, and I was mentally and emotionally involved in the exercise. I did not establish any protection around me, nor did I feel separated from my peers. My feelings, thoughts, and mental engagement resonated with the situation and I immersed myself deeply into the entire session. As a leader, I wanted to feel like part of the exercise and get the precise feeling of therapeutic engagement with the other team members. I wanted to feel empowered all through the practice; this brought forth a stronger sense of involvement with others and made me feel confident, assured, and comfortable with the entire situation.
A leader’s awareness of personal boundary is critical in helping the team achieve a cohesive approach to the exercise ( Kim, 2007). Not only does a leader’s awareness of personal development essential in improving the level of involvement by the other team members, it also fosters closer and open collaboration. At the same time, a leader’s awareness of personal boundary is critical towards achieving the primary goal of the role-play counseling session. An awareness of personal boundary helps a team leader act out a part successfully, assign roles, include details, and identify with the entire exercise. A team leader is also able to handle a nervous or an uncomfortable situation amicably without compromising the primary aim of the exercise.
Part 3: Self-Disclosure
Self-disclosure refers to a communication strategy in which one reveals their details that include fears, thoughts, dislikes, favorites, goals, aspirations, and successes (Clark, 2002). Within a role-playing counseling session, self-disclosure may involve a participant revealing their worst fears, addiction, or personal weaknesses. For example, during a role-play counseling session, a participant may admit that their greatest weakness is saying no to a drink or a substance. Self-disclosure serves an essential aspect of role-playing in a counseling session as it opens the lid on the journey to psychoanalytic therapy. Further, its main objective is to bring forth the underlying unconscious feelings and thoughts to the surface. The approach helps in opening up closed emotions and experiences that often are the leading cause of psychological trauma or depressive thoughts.
During the group session, most of the information’s disclosed by the participants ranged from the urge to fit in social groupings, the craving for drugs, and weakness to seek help. For example, one of the participants disclosed that one of the most challenging things to overcome is his addiction to “hard” substance while preparing for an exam. Another participant acknowledged that since she started using sleep-inducing drugs, she has been hooked on the medications to the point that she cannot function properly without taking them. Another participant disclosed his addiction to sexually stimulating drugs, a scenario that has led to numerous challenges in having a fulfilling love relationship. The disclosures were quite personal, and at some point, we felt ashamed of proceeding with the session, but we motivated ourselves on the benefits of self-disclosure in group therapy sessions.
As a leader, I had to lead by example. I opened up with personal and confidential experiences on drug abuse, substance usage, and alcoholism. My opener played a crucial role in instilling passion and positivity among the group members to share and disclose their experiences and emotions too. I did not observe any significant difference between my self-disclosure and that of others in the group. Although I felt ashamed at times, I overcame this feeling with the assurance that counseling-oriented role-playing session is best achieved by honest self-disclosure. I was happy and felt bonded with my group members, a feeling that was gradually picked up by all the participants. Despite the initial skeptical feelings of doubt and personal shame, I grew confident and positive with the other self-disclosure. I was awestruck by their involvement, their confidence, and positive outlook. As we delved deeper into each of our inner feelings and emotions, I felt at ease, more confident, and assured with our different experiences. Indeed, it was an eye-opener and a learning session at the various emotions and experiences people hold.
As a leader, it is appropriate to reveal information about my experiences ( Kim, 2007)) . However, it is essential to have a set of guidelines on how to apply and use personal information in a counseling session, especially during role-playing. There are five basic rules and guidelines to use and adhere to while disclosing personal information as a leader. They include:
Provide a brief narrative
Long and winding personal details may not prove helpful to a client or others in a group. At the same time, some personal information from a leader may be damaging to the general engagement with the other group members.
Consider the group members values
Information that is not aligned to the group’s values may cause damage to the general therapeutic relationship with the other group members ( Clark, 2002) . Some details may make the group members feel alienated or misguided.
“ I” Expression
Notably, it is essential to base one’s disclosures as personal. Personal details not specified as personal may confuse or misguide the group.
Consider the effect
Some personal details may make the group members feel burdened, left out, or discriminated. One should thus consider the type of information they are giving in respect to their overall impact on the group members.
“ Wait”
It is essential to ask oneself why they are providing or giving out the information. Above all, it is critical to note that some group members may find self-disclosure counter-productive to the entire role-playing session. For example, some group members may fear to have a close attachment with the team leader, while some may have a poor sense of boundary.
Part 4: Integration
W orking and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds is very critical to understanding the effectiveness of counseling oriented role-play sessions. Coming together of different people with different experiences and backgrounds offers an essential opportunity for integrating various therapeutic approaches of counseling. According to Pressman and Brook (1999) i t helps break down a topic, problem, solution into manageable units that are easy to understand and employ practically at a personal level. With each group member having their roles and responsibilities marked out, the entire group involvement is deep engagement in the exercise. One of the most outstanding aspects of group work in counseling-oriented role-playing is the ease by each the members acknowledge their differences and similarities. According to Pressman and Brook (1999), it helps foster unity towards ensuring that the session/exercise is successful. In diversity, group work finds multiple ways of finding solutions to their problems. It is crucial to integrate and formulate a comprehensive approach to counseling-oriented role-play session to utilize theories and practical exercises necessary for success.
A theoretical model refers to a hypothesis that is applied when defining or explaining a phenomenon. Various theoretical models can be used in a counseling-oriented role-play session. They include a regression model, the cognitive model, and the conceptual model ( Corsini, 2017) . The best model I would prefer for counseling-oriented role-play exercise is a theoretical cognitive paradigm that focuses on observation, studying, and following the experience come up with suggestions and forecasts. The theory offer the participants the opportunity to acquire and learn skills appropriately from their direct engagement, interaction, and observation all through the exercise. Thus, the experience gained forms the basis of their knowledge and ideologies as far as counseling, and treatment are concerned.
References
Clark, A. J. (2002, summer). Scapegoating: Dynamics and interventions in group counseling. Journal of Counseling and Development, 80 (3), 271-276.
Corsini, R. (2017). Role playing in psychotherapy . Routledge.
Kim, J. (2007). A reality therapy group counseling program as an internet addiction recovery method for college students in Korea. International Journal of Reality Therapy, 26 (2), 3-9.
Pressman, M. A., & Brook, D. W. (1999). A multiple group psychotherapy approach to adolescents with psychiatric and substance abuse comorbidity. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 49 (4), 486-512.
