Kingston College students studying Counselling and Performing Arts - Drama recently came together for a dynamic and immersive learning experience, combining their skills in a series of simulated counselling sessions. The innovative project saw Drama students take on the role of clients, using fake backstories, while Counselling students applied their skills in a realistic, practice‑based environment.
The sessions created powerful, lifelike scenarios that challenged students to think on their feet, communicate effectively and respond to real‑time emotional interactions. By working collaboratively, both groups were able to gain valuable insight into their respective disciplines in a supportive and engaging setting.
Lecturer in Counselling, Mental Health and Psychology, Marta Alvim, said: “This project worked as a collaborative learning initiative between Drama and Counselling students. By combining the strengths of both subjects, we created realistic, immersive counselling scenarios that enhanced practical skills, emotional intelligence and professional readiness.
“Counselling students developed their active listening, questioning techniques and confidence in managing unpredictable client responses, while Drama students strengthened their character development and improvisation skills in emotionally driven situations.”
The project proved to be a highly beneficial and enjoyable experience for all involved, demonstrating the value of cross‑department collaboration in preparing students for real‑world professional environments.
