Friend to Friend

This book describes the friend-to-friend process, a non-professional approach for helping a friend through a problem. The first chapter presents a transcript of a high school senior working through a problem. The use of three questions which address three levels of the human personality (thoughts, feelings, and actions) is described. Guidelines are provided for using the questions, and examples are given to illustrate typical responses. Follow-up questions are included. The second chapter explains the setting, skills, and procedure for putting the friend-to-friend process to work. The elements of good listening skills are outlined. Body language is discussed, and a few of the more common forms of body language are described along with possible meanings. Physical arrangement of chairs is discussed. Examples are provided for responses that indicate when a friend's problem requires professional counseling. The third chapter contains case studies of the friend-to-friend process. Cases include a frustrated youth worker, a teenager kicked out of home, a woman with a dying mother, and a teenager drinking too much. The fourth chapter contains a conversation between two friends, and includes exercises using the friend-to-friend process. The fifth chapter provides a worksheet intended for use in the times a person might need to work through a problem alone. The sixth chapter contains additional information and insight about the friend-to-friend process. (LLL)