3 Role Play Counselling Scenarios

Scenario: Coping with Stress and Anxiety

Client: John, a 28-year-old man who is experiencing stress and anxiety related to his job.

Background: John works in a high-pressure job that requires long hours and frequent deadlines. He has been feeling overwhelmed and anxious, which has been impacting his ability to perform his job effectively. John is also having trouble sleeping and is experiencing physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches.

Counsellor: Sarah, a trained counsellor with experience in stress and anxiety management.

Counsellor: Hi, John. I’m Sarah, and I’m here to help you. Thank you for coming in today. Can you tell me a bit more about what’s been going on?

John: I’ve been feeling really stressed and anxious lately. I have so much work to do, and it feels like I can never catch up. I’m not sleeping well, and I keep getting headaches and stomach aches.

Counsellor: That sounds really difficult. It’s important to take care of yourself during times of stress. Have you tried any relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or mindfulness?

John: No, I haven’t.

Counsellor: I can show you some techniques that may help you relax and reduce your anxiety. It’s important to take some time for yourself each day, even if it’s just a few minutes.

John: Okay, that sounds good.

Counsellor: Let’s also talk about your workload. It’s important to set realistic expectations and boundaries for yourself. Have you talked to your boss about how you’re feeling?

John: No, I haven’t.

Counsellor: It’s important to communicate your needs and concerns to your boss. You may be able to work out a plan that allows you to take breaks and manage your workload more effectively. Would you like to role-play a conversation with your boss?

John: Sure, that would be helpful.

Counsellor: Okay, I’ll be your boss, and you can practice what you want to say.

John: (role-playing) Hi, Boss. I wanted to talk to you about my workload. I’ve been feeling really stressed and overwhelmed, and I’m having trouble keeping up with everything.

Counsellor: (role-playing) I understand, John. What can we do to help?

John: (role-playing) I was wondering if we could discuss my workload and see if there’s any way to adjust it, so it’s more manageable.

Counsellor: (role-playing) Absolutely, John. Let’s schedule a meeting to discuss this further and see what we can do to support you.

John: (role-playing) Thank you, Boss. I appreciate your understanding.

Counsellor: Great job, John. That was a really productive conversation. It’s important to communicate your needs and set boundaries for yourself. By doing so, you can create a healthier work-life balance and manage your stress more effectively.

Conclusion:

Stress and anxiety can be overwhelming, but with the help of a trained counsellor, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and find balance in their lives. In this scenario, the counsellor used relaxation techniques and role-play to help the client develop coping strategies and communicate his needs to his boss. By practicing role play counselling scenarios, counsellors can develop the skills they need to support their clients effectively and compassionately.

More role play counselling scenarios on the next page…