How to Do Basic Counseling Skills: Role Play

Counseling Theories: Practical Application of Psychological Theories

15 Jun 201204:16

Summary

TLDRThe script depicts an individual grappling with severe anxiety after witnessing a car accident. This anxiety has significantly impacted their daily life, causing them to avoid driving except to work, which is stressful. They're even considering skipping a family visit due to the fear of highway driving. The individual questions why they're so affected, despite not being involved in the accident, and feels a sense of helplessness and fear that has led to a cycle of negative thoughts and physical symptoms like chest tightness and accelerated heart rate.

Takeaways

🚗 The individual experienced a traumatic event witnessing a car accident which has significantly impacted their life.
😣 The fear of getting into a car is causing them significant distress and anxiety.
🏠 They avoid driving except for work, even though their daily necessities are within walking distance.
🚫 They have stopped visiting friends and are reluctant to drive with others due to the anxiety.
🚸 The anxiety is so severe that they are considering not visiting family for the holidays to avoid driving on the highway.
🤔 They question why they are so affected by the accident since they were not directly involved.
🧠 They experience physical symptoms of anxiety such as chest tightening, increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension when driving.
🔁 There is a cycle of anxiety and fear that leads to self-doubt and unproductive thoughts.
😓 They feel weak and struggle with the emotional and physical toll of the anxiety when they do drive.
🗣️ The individual is seeking help to understand and manage their anxiety stemming from the car accident.

Q & A

What is the main issue the person is facing after witnessing the car accident?
-The person is experiencing significant distress and anxiety, which is affecting their ability to drive and perform normal activities, including going to work and seeing friends.
How has the car accident impacted the person's daily life?
-The person's daily life has been severely impacted as they are now stressed even to drive to work, avoid going to other places, and are hesitant to drive for an upcoming family trip.
What is the person's current driving behavior?
-The person is only driving to work and avoids driving to other places. They also express reluctance to get in a car driven by someone else.
What is the person's emotional state when they have to drive to work?
-When the person has to drive to work, they feel chest tightening, heart rate acceleration, sweating, and experience auditory hallucinations of brakes squealing and car crashes.
How does the person feel about their reaction to the car accident?
-The person feels that their reaction is disproportionate to the event since they were not involved in the accident, and they question why they are so affected.
What is the person's concern regarding their upcoming family trip?
-The person is concerned about their ability to drive for two hours on the highway to visit their family for the holidays due to their anxiety.
What kind of thoughts is the person having about their current situation?
-The person is having thoughts of self-doubt, feeling weak, and questioning their ability to handle the situation, as indicated by their use of phrases like 'I should be over this by now'.
What is the role of the person speaking with the individual in the script?
-The person speaking with the individual appears to be a therapist or counselor, as they are summarizing the individual's feelings and experiences to provide support and understanding.
What is the pattern or cycle that the counselor identifies in the person's life?
-The counselor identifies a cycle of anxiety and fear leading to self-questioning and unproductive thoughts, which in turn causes further anxiety and avoidance of activities.
What is the counselor's approach to understanding the person's situation?
-The counselor is summarizing the person's feelings and experiences to provide clarity and insight, aiming to understand the pattern of anxiety and its impact on their life.
How does the person describe the physical sensations they experience when driving?
-The person describes physical sensations such as chest tightening, increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension to the point of feeling like they could pop.