Sample Role-Play Scenario

  • Client: A student who survived a severe car accident and is now afraid of traveling in vehicles. They experience nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks when near roads or cars.
  • Therapist: Helps the client unpack their fears, validate their feelings, and guide them through small steps to overcome their avoidance behavior.

First Session

  1. Set a Safe Tone: Begin with general, non-intrusive questions to build trust before diving into deeper issues.
  2. Be Empathetic: Validate the client’s feelings and let them know they are not alone.
  3. Go at Their Pace: If the client seems uncomfortable, don’t force them to share more than they are ready for.
  4. Take Notes: Record key information to help guide future sessions

Session start:

Building Rapport

  1. Therapist: "Thank you for coming in today. How are you feeling about being here?"
    Client: "I’m a bit nervous, but I think it’s time to talk to someone."

  2. Therapist: "That’s completely normal. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but it’s a great step. Can you tell me a little about yourself—your work, hobbies, or daily routine?"
    Client: "I work in an office, but I’ve been taking time off lately. I used to enjoy hiking, but I haven’t done that in months."

  3. Therapist: "It sounds like hiking was a big part of your life. What’s been keeping you from it recently?"
    Client: "I just haven’t felt like myself lately. Everything feels harder."

Describing Symptoms and Current Condition

  1. Therapist: "Can you tell me more about what’s been going on? What has felt different for you?"
    Client: "I feel anxious all the time, and I can’t stop thinking about what happened. I’m not sleeping well, and I’ve started avoiding things I used to enjoy."

  2. Therapist: "I see. Anxiety and sleep difficulties can be really tough. What usually happens when you feel anxious?"
    Client: "My heart races, I can’t breathe, and I feel like something terrible is about to happen."

  3. Therapist: "That sounds very distressing. When did you first start noticing these feelings?"
    Client: "It started a few months ago. At first, I thought it would pass, but it’s only gotten worse."

From Clues to the Event

  1. Therapist: "You mentioned that it started a few months ago. Was there anything significant that happened around that time?"
    Client: (Pauses) "Yes, there was an incident. I don’t really like talking about it, though."

  2. Therapist: "That’s okay. You don’t have to go into detail if you’re not ready. What do you feel when you think about it?"
    Client: "Fear. Like it’s happening all over again. It’s hard to shake that feeling."

  3. Therapist: "I can see how much this is affecting you. Sometimes, talking about what happened can help, but we’ll go at your pace. Would you like to share anything about the event?"
    Client: (Pauses) "It was a car accident. I thought I was going to die."

Unveiling the Trauma Vividly

  1. Therapist: "That sounds incredibly traumatic. What stands out to you the most about that day?"
    Client: "The sound of the crash, the glass shattering, and the feeling of being trapped. I remember seeing headlights coming straight at me."

  2. Therapist: "That must have been terrifying. How have these memories been affecting you since then?"
    Client: "They don’t stop. I dream about it, and sometimes I feel like I’m back in the car."

  3. Therapist: "Do you avoid certain places or activities because of this?"
    Client: "Yes, I can’t go near highways. Even being in a car makes me panic."

Exploring the Impact on Daily Life

  1. Therapist: "How has this been affecting your relationships or work?"
    Client: "I’ve pulled away from friends and family. I’ve taken leave from work because I can’t focus."

  2. Therapist: "Do you feel like you’ve had enough support from those around you?"
    Client: "They try, but they don’t understand what it feels like. It’s hard to explain."

Setting Goals and Offering Support

  1. Therapist: "It sounds like this has been a lonely and overwhelming experience for you. What would you like to achieve through therapy?"
    Client: "I want to feel normal again, be able to drive, and stop being scared all the time."

  2. Therapist: "Those are excellent goals. Together, we can work on reducing the intensity of these memories, managing your anxiety, and helping you regain control over your life."
    Client: "I’d really like that. I just want to feel safe again."


Conclusion for Drama Session

  • Key Message: PTSD is a manageable condition with the right support. Therapy focuses on understanding and processing the trauma, reducing symptoms, and reclaiming control over life.
  • Post-Drama Discussion: Encourage students to reflect on how the therapist-client dynamic demonstrated empathy, active listening, and effective interventions.

Scenario for Drama: A young college student, Sarah, is struggling with an intense fear of gaining weight despite being visibly underweight. She avoids meals, exercises excessively, and becomes anxious in social situations involving food. During a therapy session, Sarah opens up about a comment from a friend that triggered her obsession with weight loss. The therapist gently uncovers her distorted body image and the emotional toll it’s taking, helping Sarah recognize the need for support and recovery. This scenario highlights the challenges of living with anorexia nervosa and the importance of empathetic intervention.

Example Questions and Answers

Building Rapport

  1. Therapist: "Thank you for being here today. How are you feeling about this session?"
    Client: "I’m nervous but also a little hopeful."

  2. Therapist: "That’s understandable. Can you tell me a little about your daily routine and the things you enjoy doing?"
    Client: "I used to love dancing, but I don’t have the energy anymore. Mostly, I focus on my studies."

Exploring Eating Patterns

  1. Therapist: "Can you walk me through a typical day—what you eat, when, and how you feel during meals?"
    Client: "I usually skip breakfast, have a salad for lunch, and eat very little for dinner. I feel guilty if I eat more."

  2. Therapist: "How long have you been eating this way?"
    Client: "For about a year now. It started when I decided to lose some weight."

  3. Therapist: "How do you feel physically—do you get tired or feel lightheaded?"
    Client: "Yes, I’m always tired, and sometimes I feel like I might faint."

Understanding Body Image and Fear of Weight Gain

  1. Therapist: "What is your main concern about gaining weight?"
    Client: "I’m afraid people will judge me or think I’m not disciplined."

  2. Therapist: "How do you feel about your body right now?"
    Client: "I think I need to lose more weight, even though others say I’m already too thin."

  3. Therapist: "Have you ever weighed yourself multiple times a day or avoided mirrors?"
    Client: "Yes, I weigh myself every morning. Mirrors make me uncomfortable."

Exploring Emotional and Social Triggers

  1. Therapist: "Do you remember when these feelings about your body started?"
    Client: "It started when someone commented on my weight at a party."

  2. Therapist: "How do you feel after eating a full meal?"
    Client: "I feel anxious and guilty, like I’ve failed."

  3. Therapist: "Does social media or seeing certain images affect how you feel about yourself?"
    Client: "Yes, I compare myself to models online, and it makes me feel worse."

Assessing Impact on Relationships and Life

  1. Therapist: "Have your friends or family expressed concerns about your eating habits or weight?"
    Client: "Yes, my mom is worried, but I don’t think she understands."

  2. Therapist: "Has your eating pattern affected your ability to concentrate or participate in activities?"
    Client: "Yes, I can’t focus at school, and I stopped going to dance practice."

  3. Therapist: "Do you avoid eating out or social gatherings involving food?"
    Client: "Yes, I make excuses not to go because I don’t want people to watch me eat."

Identifying Physical and Emotional Symptoms

  1. Therapist: "Have you noticed any physical changes, like hair thinning or feeling cold often?"
    Client: "Yes, I’m always cold, and my hair has been falling out."

  2. Therapist: "Do you often feel sad, anxious, or frustrated about yourself?"
    Client: "Yes, I feel like I’m not good enough most of the time."

  3. Therapist: "Do you ever use exercise, vomiting, or other methods to control your weight?"
    Client: "I exercise a lot, even when I’m exhausted."

Uncovering Readiness for Help

  1. Therapist: "What made you decide to come to therapy now?"
    Client: "I feel like I can’t keep going like this. I’m always tired and unhappy."

  2. Therapist: "What do you hope to achieve through therapy?"
    Client: "I want to feel better about myself and stop worrying so much about food."

  3. Therapist: "Is there anything you feel would make the process easier for you?"
    Client: "If I could trust that eating more wouldn’t make me lose control, I think that would help."

Therapy Goals and Next Steps

  • Short-term Goals:

    • Establish a balanced eating pattern.
    • Build awareness about the impact of negative self-talk.
Conclusions:
The therapist thanks Sarah for her courage in sharing her thoughts and emotions, acknowledging the difficulty of confronting such personal struggles. The session concludes with the therapist summarizing key points, including Sarah’s restrictive eating habits, distorted body image, and the emotional triggers contributing to her fear of gaining weight. The therapist reassures Sarah that she is not alone and emphasizes that recovery is possible with the right support. They agree to focus on setting small, manageable goals in future sessions to address her eating patterns, self-perception, and underlying fears. Sarah leaves feeling heard and slightly more hopeful about the path forward.

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