Advanced Training in Peer to Peer Helping

1. Advanced Training in Peer to Peer Helping

2. “Most of us ask for advice when we know the answer but we want a different one.” (Ivern Ball) • “The ability to predict and elicit change is the essence of the helping professions.” (Stoltz & Kern, 2007)

3. Learning Outcome Goal Residence Life Staff will see themselves as Peer to Peer Helpers / Facilitators who want to become more advanced in their skills and are willing to learn and practice new techniques that will form them into more personable, approachable, human beings.

4. Learning Outcome Objectives • Residence Life Staff see themselves as Peer to Peer Helpers or Facilitators • Residence Life Staff understand the similarities and differences between Peer to Peer Helpers and Professional Helpers • Residence Life Staff learn the process (facilitating model)for being Peer to Peer Helpers that they may have already learned • Residence Life Staff become familiar with the positive human qualities (core conditions) that make them more effective Peer to Peer Helpers • Residence Life Staff want to learn the techniques that will advance their positive qualities as effective Peer to Peer Helpers

5. Learning Outcome Summary In order to be an effective peer helper, we must become positive, personable, and approachable humans.

6. Peer Helper / Professional Helper • Peer Helpers are people that share a similar educational background and experience level. • Professional Helpers are people with advanced education and typically have a lot of experience in the helping field. • Peer Helpers act as advisors and resources for referral. • Professional Helpers are skilled providers with competencies in dealing with serious emotional, mental health, or psychological problems. • Peer Helpers use the ‘Facilitating Model’ for helping. • Professional Helpers are licensed to provide therapy.

7. Facilitating Model • Pre-Facilitating • Listening • Problem Identification and Analysis • Resolution • Follow-Up • Referral

8. Peer Helper / Professional Helper • What type of person would you want to help you with a problem? • Look at the following two pictures and describe what type of qualities you would want from each of the helpers you see.

9. Sally Walsh, MA Professional Counselor

10. John Akari, Resident Assistant

11. Positive Human Qualities • All Helpers, whether Peer or Professional, share certain qualities. We refer to these shared qualities as positive human qualities. • Empathy, warmth, congruence, and unconditional positive regard are four of the traditional qualities that counselors must have in order to create a therapeutic alliance.

12. Advanced Skills For Peer Helpers • Professional Staff choose Residence Life Student Staff who demonstrate initial capabilities of being personable. • Each Residence Life Staff member must continue, however, to develop their positive qualities as humans. • Developing those advanced skills is practiced every day: • Human Development Mission Statement • Honest Daily Decision Log (personal reflection) • Intentional Peer Group Sessions (peer reflection) • Prepared One-to-One Supervision (supervisory reflection)

13. One Final Review! Do you see yourself as an experienced Peer to Peer Helper / Facilitator who wants to become more advanced in your skills and is willing to learn and practice new techniques that will form you into a more personable, approachable, and positive human being?