This exercise is excellent for counsellor training, premarital counselling workshops, or SGBV response capacity building. It allows participants to practice interviewing techniques, active listening, open-ended questioning, and accurate documentation in a safe, supportive environment.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the activity, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate effective interviewing skills with couples or individuals.
• Apply active listening and open-ended questioning in a counselling session.
• Practice note-taking and documentation that is clear, accurate, and confidential.
• Give and receive constructive peer feedback to improve technique.

Duration

45–60 minutes (depending on group size)

Group Size

• Minimum: 6 participants (to allow for triads)
• Can be adapted for larger groups by creating multiple triads

Materials Needed

• Scenario cards or case studies (e.g., couple disagreement, spiritual conflict, disclosure of violence)
• Interview guide or checklist (for structure)
• Notepads or documentation templates
• Pens
• Timer or stopwatch

Roles in Each Group (Triads)

1. Counsellor:

• Leads the mock interview using good interviewing techniques.
• Practices open-ended questions, empathy, neutrality, and active listening.

2. Client (or Couple):

• Acts out a prepared scenario (can improvise within the case study).
• Responds naturally to the counsellor’s questions.

3. Observer/Note-taker:

• Watches the interaction carefully.
• Uses a checklist to give feedback on interviewing skills.
• Practices taking clear and objective notes.

After 10–15 minutes, participants rotate roles until everyone has served as counsellor, client, and observer.

Sample Scenarios for Role Play

(Choose one per group or distribute randomly)

• Couple disagreeing on how to handle finances before marriage.
• Bride-to-be discloses that her fiancé controls her social life.
• Couple struggling to agree on shared spiritual practices.
• Groom admits past violent behavior during premarital counselling.
• Partner expresses anxiety about in-laws’ interference.

Step-by-Step Instructions

a. Briefing (5 min)

1. • Trainer explains the purpose and structure of the activity.
   • Review key interviewing skills: active listening, open-ended questions, neutrality, empathy, respectful boundaries.

b. Role Play Round 1 (15 min)

• One participant acts as counsellor, another as client, third as observer.
• Counsellor conducts a mock first session using good interviewing techniques.
• Observer documents key points, techniques used, and areas for improvement.

c. Feedback & Rotation (5–10 min)

• Observer gives structured feedback using a simple framework:

1. • • What went well?
     • What could be improved?
     • Suggestions?

• Participants rotate roles and repeat.

d. Documentation Practice (10 min)

• After each round, the “counsellor” completes a short session note as if it were a real case.
• Trainer can provide a simple documentation template including:

• • • Date & session number
    • Presenting issue(s)
    • Key points discussed
    • Interventions used
    • Counsellor’s impressions (objective)
    • Referrals or follow-up actions

e. Group Debrief (10–15 min)

1. • Reconvene as a large group.
   • Discuss:

1. • • What interviewing techniques were most effective?
     • What was challenging about documenting the session?
     • How can confidentiality and accuracy be balanced in note-taking?

Sample Documentation Template

[Practical questions for participants]

1. How can effective interviewing techniques help counsellors gather accurate, relevant information without re-traumatizing clients? 

2. Why is active listening, coupled with open-ended questioning, critical in building trust and understanding in counselling sessions involving SGBV cases? 

3. What strategies can counsellors use to manage clients who are reluctant, hostile, or emotionally shut down during sensitive interviews? 

4. What signs of burnout should counsellors watch for in themselves, and what self-care strategies can help sustain their emotional well-being in high-stress SGBV contexts? 

5. How can peer practice sessions in interviewing and documentation contribute to improving counsellors’ real-world skills and confidence in handling complex SGBV cases?