Practice Your Skills with Our Client Simulator

Looking to build confidence in client-centered conversations? Our Client Simulator offers professionals a powerful, hands-on way to sharpen their communication skills—especially those related to motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and client rapport.

With the Client Simulator, you can book a virtual session (on Zoom) with a trained actor who portrays a realistic client scenario. Whether you're new to helping professions or a seasoned practitioner, this immersive experience is designed to meet you where you are.

Cost: $79/ individual session

Group packages available. Email Training@AdvocacyAcademy.org to learn more.

What to Expect:

  • A 50-minute private Zoom session with an actor playing a client.

  • Realistic client scenarios tailored to your field (e.g., advocacy, counseling, healthcare, case management).

  • A safe, no-stakes environment to try out new techniques or strengthen existing ones.

  • The option to record your session so you can reflect, self-evaluate, or share with a supervisor or trainer.

You do not need prior training in Motivational Interviewing to benefit from the experience. The simulator is ideal for:

  • Practicing open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflective listening.

  • Testing out how you manage challenging conversations.

  • Getting comfortable responding with empathy and curiosity.

Why It Works:

Experiential learning is one of the most effective ways to grow as a helping professional. The Client Simulator allows you to move beyond theory and into real-time practice—with feedback and insight that can only come from doing.

Advocacy Academy Client Simulator for training victim advocates

Research consistently reveals the value of practical application for learners.


Email Training@AdvocacyAcademy.org to arrange a package of sessions for your team (rather than registering each person individually).

Meet our “clients”!

These characters can be portrayed by our trained actors. When you make your appointment, you will indicate which character you’d like to meet in your session.

  • Practice with Sarah, 24-year-old graduate student at a University

    Situation: Sarah visits the Sexual Assault Response Program at her university because she was assaulted three days ago at a house party. 

    If you sign up to practice with Sarah, you will:

    • Practice empathizing with her experiences

    • Practice building rapport and trust with her

    • Help her decide what her next steps might be (filing a report, going to counseling, etc.) without giving advice

  • Practice with Rosanna, 29-year-old mother of two (ages 4 and 7)

    Situation: Rosanna visits a domestic violence agency to explore options. She is in a 6-year relationship with escalating physical and emotional abuse; partner controls finances and has threatened to take the children if she leaves.

    If you sign up to practice with Rosanna, you will: 

    • Practice empathizing with her experiences

    • Practice building rapport and trust with her

    • Help her decide what her next steps might be (staying/ leaving the relationship, creating a safety plan, starting counseling, etc.) without giving advice

  • Practice with Staff Sergeant Alex Thompson, 28-year-old career military (8 years of service)

    Situation: Alex was sexually assaulted by a superior officer 2 weeks ago; They are considering whether to make a formal report through military channels. This meeting is the first time Alex is working with an advocate.

    If you sign up to practice with Alex, you will: 

    • Practice empathizing with their experiences

    • Practice building rapport and trust with them

    • Help them decide what their next steps might be (filing a restricted/unrestricted report, starting counseling, etc.) without giving advice

  • Practice with Jennifer, 35-year-old single mother

    Situation: Jennifer is meeting with her family advocate after her 8-year-old daughter disclosed that her uncle (Jennifer's brother) has been sexually abusing her; the uncle lives with them and helps with childcare while Jennifer works two jobs.

    If you sign up to practice with Jennifer, you will: 

    • Practice empathizing with her experiences

    • Practice building rapport and trust with her

    • Help her decide what her next steps might be without giving advice