Therapeutic Acting

Being clear about the goal(s) of what you say and carefully selecting the words you use, vocal tone, and posture are among the variables effecting how successful your communication will be.  Therapeutic Acting for Individuals is designed to improve your awareness of what and how you habitually communicate, using those and other channels of communication.

As I’m sure you’d agree, a relatively restricted style of communication, and not hearing what and how you say things, creates barriers to how successful your messages could be.

To help you become a better verbal (and non-verbal) communicator, I will work/”play” with you using several different methods.  Here are three examples of what we’ll do:

1. Role playing.  (Having actor training, I can take on many “roles.”)  You’ll rehearse verbal expressions and behaviors unfamiliar to you and practice meeting perceived challenges in a safe place without (feared) consequences.

2. “Scripting.” Scripting is participating in verbal exercises I’ve created to expand verbal and vocal flexibility for more varied and expressive communication.

3. “Word shielding.”  Tolerating (being immune to) noxious words without taking them seriously or reacting to them is emblematic of people with strong self – confidence.  Embodying the adage,  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words with never harm me.” will be one of our goals.   It is important to understand that cruel words directed at you from someone else, say loads about the speaker.  They actually say nothing about you. We will also consider how what you believe about yourself is more important than what anyone else believes about you.

These behavioral features of cognitive-behavior therapy are potent and effective teachers of interpersonal communication skills.

Let’s play!