Acting Techniques for Therapists, Moderators, Interviewers, Journalists, and Teachers

Applied Non-Verbal Communication:

Acting Techniques for Therapists, Moderators, Interviewers, Journalists, and Teachers

The Meisner technique and other acting techniques with a focus on body language and nonverbal communication

This intensive workshop introduces therapists to the core principles of Sanford Meisner’s acting method, translated into a powerful tool for the therapeutic space. Move beyond scripted responses and cultivate a practice of authentic, in-the-moment presence with your clients.

Core Focus: Through targeted exercises such as the foundational Repetition Game, therapists will learn to sharpen their perception of clients’ subtle nonverbal cues—shifts in tone, breath, and body language—that often speak louder than words.

Further course content: Introductions to body analysis techniques, Laban/Character Analysis & Movement Psychology, and the Strasberg Method

Early Bird Fee

Practice benefits

Empathic perception: Through targeted exercises such as repetition, therapists learn to sharpen their perception of their clients’ subtle non-verbal signals.
Improved relationship building: The technique helps to establish a more authentic and deeper connection with clients by bringing one’s own presence and listening skills to the fore.
Letting go of control: Therapists who tend to overthink learn to let go of control and engage with the present moment.
Spontaneity and liveliness: Using the Meisner technique can make conversations more lively and spontaneous, as it strengthens confidence in one’s own intuition.

The Meisner Technique

The Meisner Technique is a method for all to improve interpersonal skills by focusing on authentic, instinctive responses rather than pre-planned dialogue. Its core component is the repetition exercise, where one person repeats a phrase about the other, forcing them to listen deeply and react truthfully to what emerges spontaneously in the moment. This approach aims to increase emotional empathy, deepen connection, and lead to more natural and believable interactions.

Quotes

“Silence has a myriad of meanings. In the theater, silence is an absence of words, but never an absence of meaning.”

– Sanford Meisner

“Each phase of movement, every small transference of weight, every single gesture of any part of the body reveals some feature of our inner life”.

– Rudolf von Laban

“The place where you stand, how you use your space, is the number-one priority. How you stand in relation to other people in scenes, how you dance with them- that´s what it´s all about“

– Sean Connery

Detailed workshop schedule (2-day format):

Day 1: The basics – perceiving and reacting/responding

Introduction: What is the Meisner technique and what are its benefits? Theory: The ‘repetition’ exercise as the foundation of impulse-driven action. Practical exercise: Simple repetition exercises in pairs. Focus: Responding to what is (behaviour, body position, tone of voice, facial expression), not to the content. Focus on value-free description.
Naming the obvious. Theory: The courage to confront the ‘elephant in the room’. Difference between confrontational and gentle-concrete. Practical exercise: Extended repetition. Introduction of ‘point of view’ sentences: ‘you are angry, even though you are smiling,’ ‘You’re bored!’, ‘You’re irritated!’ or ‘I’ve made you feel insecure!’
Integration & reflection: Group discussion and reflection on the exercise experiences. Explore ways of transferring what you have learned to your everyday working life.
Introductions to body analysis techniques, Laban/Character Analysis & Movement Psychology

Day 2: Deepening – Integration and Application

Repetition and consolidation of repetition with more complex emotional starting situations. Practical exercise: ‘The emotional impulse’ – How does it feel to give space to an emotion (sadness, anger, joy) in the other person?
Working with provocation not as a manipulative tool, but to address the obvious or as an invitation to abandon a rigid attitude.
Deepening and examples.
Body analysis techniques, Laban/Character Analysis & Movement Psychology and the Strasberg Method.
Conclusion & transfer into practice. Summary of the core principles. Development of a personal ‘transfer plan’: How do I integrate what I have learned into my sessions? Final round and feedback.