MUHAMMAD IMAN EL HASSAN F.M.

P
17782

PEER COUNSELING I ASSIGNMENT:

There are several important tools in the counseling kit that will enable you
to effectively communicate and counsel others, some of them are:
1. Active Listening:
Active listening is a skill that can be acquired and developed with practice. However,
active listening can be difficult to master and will, therefore, take time and patience to
develop. 'Active listening' means, as its name suggests, actively listening. That is fully
concentrating on what is being said rather than just passively hearing the message of the
speaker.
Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves
mutual understanding. Often when people talk to each other, they don=t listen attentively.
They are often distracted, half listening, half thinking about something else. When people are
engaged in a conflict, they are often busy formulating a response to what is being said. They
assume that they have heard what their opponent is saying many times before, so rather than
paying attention, they focus on how they can respond to win the argument.
Active listening involves listening with all senses. As well as giving full attention to the
speaker, it is important that the active listener is also seen to be listening - otherwise the
speaker may conclude that what they are talking about is uninteresting to the listener. Interest
can be conveyed to the speaker by using both verbal and non-verbal messages such as
maintaining eye contact, nodding your head and smiling, agreeing by saying Yes or simply
Mmm hmm to encourage them to continue. By providing this 'feedback' the person
speaking will usually feel more at ease and therefore communicate more easily, openly and
honestly.
2. Encouraging Body Language
One of the oft-ignored aspects of communication is the understanding
of body language. Body language comprises of actions, gestures, facial
expressions, postures and so on. It is often said that body language
cannot be concealed because it speaks the language of the heart.
In peer counseling, Body language can be properly integrated by
doing the SOLERF method, which stands for:

S - Squarely face person vs. sitting kitty-corner.

O - use Open posture vs. crossed arms and legs
L - Lean a little toward the person vs. settling back in your chair
E - use Eye contact vs. staring off into deep space
R - Relax, keep it natural vs. sitting like a board
F look friendly vs. neutral or scowling

MUHAMMAD IMAN EL HASSAN F.M.P

17782

Given below are some common body languages and common

interpretations thereof:
You will seem friendly and co-operative if you:
o
Look at the other persons face and smile or nod your
head as the other person is talking.
o Have open hands, put your hand to your face occasionally
and uncross your arms.
o Sit with uncrossed legs, lean slightly forward and move
closer to the other person.

You will seem confident if you: Look into the other persons eyes or
dont blink your eyes and thrust your chin forward; also stand at
ease with hands behind your back. When seated, you lean back with
legs out in front of you, stand straight and stay relaxed.

You will seem aggressive if you: Stare at the other person, wear an
I ve read it all before smile, raise your eyebrows in exaggerated
amazement or disbelief or look over the top of your spectacles and
point your finger at the other person, thump your fist on the table
and rub the back of your neck. Stand while the other person remains
seated, stride around; lean back in your chair with both hands
behind your head and legs spread / crossed.

You will seem thoughtful if you:

o Look at the other person for most of the time when listening
and tilt your head to one side slightly.
o Stroke your chin or take off your spectacles and put the
earpiece into your mouth. Lean forward to speak or lean back
to listen.

You will seem defensive if you: Avoid eye contact or immediately

look away; when it occurs, dont look at the other person; clench
hands, cross arms and constantly rub an eye or nose or ear and
lean away from the other person, cross your legs and swivel your
feet towards to door.

You will seem anxious if you: Blink frequently, lick your lips and
keep clearing your throat; open and close your hands frequently,
put your hand over your mouth while speaking; tug at an ear and
fidget in your chair.

To summarize, body language helps you read a person like a book, but
caution must be ensure that one should not jump to the hasty
conclusions. Use body language only as a support mechanism to
understand peoples communication and behaviour.

MUHAMMAD IMAN EL HASSAN F.M.P

17782