Acceptance Role-Play Activity

Purpose: Give students hands-on practice using radical acceptance statements in realistic situations.
Duration: 8 minutes
Materials Needed: Scenario cards (printed or index cards) with brief everyday stressors.

Roles

Student:

• Reads the scenario aloud
• Identifies facts vs. judgments
• Crafts and says an acceptance statement

Counselor/Facilitator:

• Plays “reality challenger” (offers doubts or emotional reactions)
• Uses prompts to guide deeper acceptance
• Offers supportive feedback

Instructions

1. Shuffle the scenario cards and place them face down.
2. Student draws the top card and reads it aloud.
3. Together, identify:
   • Fact: What actually happened?
   • Judgment: Thoughts or “stories” added.
4. Student crafts an acceptance statement:
   • Use the frame “I accept that [fact] happened.”
5. After the statement, the facilitator responds with a brief challenge:
   • E.g., “But that’s so unfair!” or “Why can’t you just move on?”
6. Student practices restating or reaffirming acceptance under challenge.
7. Facilitator offers positive feedback on clarity and tone.
8. Swap roles or draw a new card.

Scenario Cards

1. You missed the school bus by one minute.
2. You got a lower-than-expected grade on a quiz.
3. It started raining right after you left for recess.
4. A friend forgot to invite you to a group project.
5. You spilled juice on your favorite shirt before school.

Facilitator Prompts & Feedback

If student stalls on facts vs. judgment:

• “What exactly happened, not what you think about it?”
• “Name just the observable details.”

If student’s acceptance sounds hesitant:

• “Try saying ‘I accept that…’ with a steady voice.”
• “Notice how your body changes when you own the fact.”

After successful statement:

• “Great job noticing the facts and letting go of the story.”
• “How did that feel in your body when you said it?”

Use this activity to build confidence in accepting reality, even when challenged. Encourage the student to notice relief, and reinforce the skill through daily practice.

Acceptance Reflection Journal

Use these prompts to think deeply about your experience with radical acceptance. Answer each question with honesty and detail.

1. Describe the situation you chose for your acceptance exercise.

Write what happened, including who was involved, where you were, and when it took place.

2. List the facts you noticed about this situation (observable details only).

Focus on what actually happened, without any added thoughts or labels.

3. Identify any judgments or “stories” you told yourself about what happened.

What thoughts or labels came up that weren’t strictly facts?

4. Write the acceptance statement you practiced.

Use the frame “I accept that ______________ happened.”

5. How did saying your acceptance statement feel emotionally?

Describe any shifts in mood, relief, or resistance you noticed.

6. Notice and describe any physical sensations you experienced when you accepted.

Did you feel tension, relaxation, warmth, or something else in your body?

7. How might you use radical acceptance in a future situation?

Think of a challenge coming up (e.g., a test, a conflict with a friend) and write one acceptance statement you could use.

8. (Optional) Draw or sketch a symbol, picture, or doodle that represents acceptance to you.

Use the space below to get creative.

Homework Reminder: Practice one acceptance statement each day. Use this journal to track how your feelings and body sensations change over time.

Facilitator Acceptance Prompts

Use these word-for-word prompts to guide your individual session. Speak slowly, warmly, and with genuine curiosity. Pause after each question to give the student time to think and respond.

1. Introduction and Check-In (2 minutes)

“Hi there! It’s great to see you today. Before we begin, I’d like to know: How are you feeling right now? You can share as much or as little as you like.”
Possible follow-ups:
– “On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is very calm and 5 is very stressed, where would you place yourself?”
– “Is there anything on your mind that you’d like to share before we start?”

“Today our goal is to learn a skill called radical acceptance. This skill can help us feel less upset when things happen that we can’t change. Let’s explore how it works together.”

(Transition to teaching)
“Let’s look at the first slide.”

2. Teaching Radical Acceptance (8 minutes)

“Take a look at Radical Acceptance Slides, slide 1. The title is Radical Acceptance. This skill is about accepting reality exactly as it is—without fighting it.”

“Slide 2 shows What Is Radical Acceptance? It says:
• Not giving up or liking what happened
• Fully acknowledging facts without judgment
• Letting go of fighting reality

Do any of these bullets feel confusing? Tell me which word or phrase you want me to explain.”
Possible follow-ups:
– “What does ‘acknowledging facts’ mean to you?”
– “Have you ever felt like you were fighting reality? What did that feel like?”

“Now on slide 3, Why Practice Acceptance? It lists:
• Reduces emotional resistance and distress
• Frees energy for problem-solving
• Builds resilience and self-regulation

Can you think of a time when you tried not to accept something, and it made you feel worse?”
If they struggle:
– “Maybe you resisted a test grade or missing the bus—what happened?”

“Great. Let’s dive into how acceptance actually works.”

3. Guided Acceptance Exercise (5 minutes)

“Please think of a small stressor you can’t change right now. For example, someone else’s behavior, the weather, or a grade you already got.”
Prompt:
– “What situation are you choosing? Tell me who, what, when, and where.”

“Okay. Now let’s notice the facts.”
Use slide 5:
– “What actually happened? Just the observable details—no opinions or ‘stories.’”

Possible follow-ups:
– “Say it like a reporter would: the who, what, when, where.”

“Next, let’s spot your judgments or thoughts.”
Use slide 6:
– “What ideas or labels did you add in your mind? For example, ‘This always happens to me.’”

“And now, let’s make an acceptance statement.”
Use slide 7:
– “Try saying: ‘I accept that [fact] happened.’ Give it a go.”

Encourage noticing:
– “What do you notice in your body as you say that?”
– “Do you feel any shift in your mind?”

4. Role-Play Practice (8 minutes)

“Now we’ll practice with a little role-play from the Acceptance Role-Play Activity. I’ll shuffle some scenario cards.”

“Go ahead and draw your first card. Read it aloud, please.”

“Let’s identify the fact in that scenario.”
Prompt:
– “What exactly happened? Keep it to observable details.”

“Now, what judgment or ‘story’ popped into your head?”

“Great work. Now you’ll say an acceptance statement using: ‘I accept that [fact] happened.’”

(After their first statement, play ‘reality challenger’ with one prompt below.)
– “But that’s so unfair!”
– “Why can’t you just move on?”

“Now try restating your acceptance under that challenge.”

Offer feedback:
– “Nice steady voice! You really owned that fact.”
– “What felt different this time?”

“Would you like to draw another card or swap roles?”

5. Reflection and Wrap-Up (7 minutes)

“Let’s open your Acceptance Reflection Journal. We’ll answer the first two prompts together, then you can finish the rest on your own if you’d like.”

“Prompt 1: Describe the situation you chose. Write who was involved, where you were, and when it happened.”

“Prompt 2: List the facts you noticed—just the observable details.”

After they write:
– “Great descriptions! I can really picture it.”

“Here’s your homework: Each day this week, practice one acceptance statement. Write it in your journal and note how it feels in your mind and body. We’ll check in next time to see what you noticed.”

“Thank you for working so hard today. You’ve learned a powerful skill—radical acceptance—that you can use any time life throws you a curveball.”

End session with a positive note.

You’re doing excellent work. I’m proud of you!