The Family Simulation Training (FaST) Project for Health Service and Performance Students: An Experiential Partnership between Mental Health and Theatre

Advance student learning by providing high-impact experiential opportunities.

Increase interdisciplinarity across departments, faculty, and units as the model is developed across the institution.

Advance teaching methodology as students do not merely “read about” clinical encounters but get to see or engage directly within them.

Improve representation as issues related to diversity (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, [dis]ability, and migration) are prioritized in the substantive clinical content.

Contribute to student success by providing a unique advantage to Waterloo alumni when entering advanced studies or the workforce.

Advance Waterloo’s reputation in teaching innovation as the FaST program is introduced to other institutions across Canada.

Advance Global Futures (especially Health, Societal & Economic Futures) through the enhancement of teaching innovation research at the intersection of health and the arts.    

The ongoing Family Simulation Training (FaST) Project is an innovative and interdisciplinary partnership between psychology and theatre, where simulated family therapy sessions provide experiential and engaging pedagogical opportunities that significantly enhance the quality of training in both health service and performance disciplines.  

Founded in 2019, there are presently two permutations of the program, depending on the target health-service students (undergrads: FaST-UG; graduate clinical [psychology] students: FaST-G). For undergrads, students observe and study live simulated therapy sessions, with a course instructor (or senior graduate student) serving as the therapist alongside actors who have theatrically formed into a “family”.  At the graduate level, advanced clinical trainees practice engaging with the simulated family directly as clinicians and are evaluated (and given feedback) on their developing family therapy skills. In both scenarios, actors are supervised by theatre faculty and supported in the development of improvisation acting skills. 

There is presently no standard simulation-based learning opportunity for psychology and health sciences students at the University of Waterloo, and many students must base their decision whether to pursue professional life in mental health on virtually no exposure to mental health services. Additionally, those enrolled in Canadian performance programs face challenges in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) powered actors and slashes to arts funding. This project fosters a mutualistic partnership between theatre and performance actors and health services, creating realistic scenarios for students to apply their learned skills in a controlled, safe environment.