Acting As If Technique

The acting as if technique eliminates  the excuse "If only I could...", which is commonly used by clients during counseling sessions. When applying this technique, the counselor asks the client to act as though  they possess the skills or whatever it is they need to overcome a difficult situation in a positive, productive manner. Prior to acting this out, it may be helpful for clients to imagine a person who is capable of doing whatever this may be. Throughout this process, the counselor asks the client reflective questions, which are meant to generate different thoughts, feelings, and/or actions towards the problematic situation. I would imagine this technique to work well with clients who have a difficult time speaking their minds. This provides them with an opportunity to practice acting differently prior to being in the actual situation.