| Abstract: | The author describes an innovative training strategy that can be used to make role plays a more realistic learning experience for counseling students. The method involves using techniques that screenwriters use to create believable characters and applying these techniques to help students create realistic role‐play clients. This approach also resolves some of the ethical and practical concerns that have been raised regarding role plays in which student clients discuss personal issues in practice sessions. Evaluations of the method, cautions, and implications for future research are discussed. |
