Using Actors as “Clients” for an Interviewing Simulation in an Undergraduate Clinical Psychology Course

Abstract

Undergraduate theatre majors are trained to be clients for the interviewing component of an undergraduate clinical psychology course. The actor creates the character of a client after reading appropriate case studies. The instructor assists by providing feedback, helping to create client history, background, and personality characteristics, and by monitoring the degree of pathology that the actor portrays. The actors add a realistic component to this course.