Using Actors in Experiential Group Counseling Leadership Training

The Impact of Experiential Groups on Master Students' Counselor and Personal Development: A Qualitative Investigation

“…Counselor educators agree that students must participate in an experiential element in order to develop the necessary skills to be an effective group leader (Fall & Levitov, 2002;Kline, 2003). To address the need for practical learning, CACREP Standards (2009) require students to participate in an experiential group activity as a member for a minimum of 10-clock hours during the course of one academic term.…”

“…Although educators agree that an experiential component of preparation of group training is important, there is not a consensus about the most appropriate method for providing the experience (Fall & Levitov, 2002;Kline et al, 1997;Osborn, Daninhirsch, & Page, 2003). Much of the disagreement about the appropriate format of the experiential activity stems from ethical concerns about instructors facilitating the groups (Davenport, 2004;Goodrich, 2008).…”

“…Another proposed model consists of simulated group training, where students are assigned roles to play during the group and then rotate as leaders or co-leaders (Romano, 1998). Fall and Levitov (2002) proposed a model where actors from the community or the university performing arts department serve as clients for the counselors-in-training. In the observation model, students observe a group but do not participate in any way.…”

“…The topic of experiential groups as a training tool has been discussed extensively in the literature (e.g., Emerson, 1995;Fall & Levitov, 2002;Hensley, 2002;Merta & Sisson, 1991;Toth et al, 1998). In addition, there has been a great deal of discussion about educators' views of the most effective ways of integrating the experiential segment and the conflicting opinions about the appropriate modes of facilitation.…”

Use of Simulated Multidisciplinary Treatment Teams and Client Actors to Teach Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning Skills

“…Banken, Halvorson. & Schmutte, 1989;Fall & Levitov, 2002;Levttov, Fall. & Jennings, 1999), and teaching programs for a variety of disciplines (e.g., occupational/ physical therapy and social work; Woodward.…”