Role-Playing in Counselor Student Development

Abstract

This study examined how role-plays impacted 27 counseling students' overall skills as measured by instructor ratings and self-ratings during practice triads in a microskills course. A Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test revealed no significant difference for scripted versus personal concerns role-plays. Students indicated a strong belief that role-plays were an effective way to build overall counseling skills.

Keywords:

• creativity
• role-playing
• counselor education
• skills