Many people hate role playing.

We accept this, but would want to explain:

(a) WHY we think that role playing is very important and helpful.

• Role playing is in ways nothing like real therapeutic work... But... It is the closest we can get to practicing how to develop and use the KeyWorker relationships that are so central to the effectiveness of any AMBIT-influenced practice.
• The point of most role playing is to practice the The Therapist's Mentalizing Stance
• And role play does have one thing in common with real therapeutic work - it is (or can be) stressful.
• So while the stress is different, it will have a similar effect on your capacity to work effectively (to mentalize) as it does when it occurs "in the field"; learning to work in stressful settings is part of what AMBIT is about.
• Having said this, we do NOT want any role play to have any shaming effect on any workers - as this is not a good context for learning.

(b) HOW to make role playing less painful

• It is tempting always to pick the WORST client we can imagine for a role play - particularly if we are learning a new way of working ("I'll test this out to destruction!") - DON'T! Pick a young person or family who have got some motivation to change - the point is to give each other scenarios to practice and play.
• Remember the clue is in the name - it is role PLAY, so keep it playful, and allow oneself and others the chance to make a time out sign and break out of role to discuss what is going on, how "I have lost it!"... but then be sure to talk about why, and what to do next, and then get back in and play some more.
• Do try to stay on task - it is easy to get drawn into very meaningful conversations about the work in the middle of a role play, which may be very effective defences against exposing oneself to the anxiety of role playing
• Do practice being a mentalizing presence for your colleagues in the role play - "I wonder what does X maybe need to help her feel that she can get back into that role play and try again?"

(c) WHAT to avoid doing in role plays

• Do not use role plays to humiliate or shame others!
• Accept it if a colleague opts out of active role playing - they can still play an active role as a "mentalizing presence" watching from a "meta-position".
• Don't assume that you "can't do it" - consider the possibility that you may be mistaken on that count!