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Are you an ordinary person whom other people come to because they know you will listen?
Are you a pro in your own field, you were trained ages ago, or your main gig is not counseling, yet you find yourself doing so anyway?
Do you find yourself listening to other people's stories and thinking: "What on earth should I say?"
If yes, this book is for you!
It does not take a boatload of fancy degrees and skills to help someone. It takes empathy and a few key skills!
Reach people, draw them out, and help them explore their issues with easy-to-use listening techniques that can be helpful immediately, with tips on what not to do.
Stop worrying about whether you might say the wrong words and make things worse.
Feel confident that you know how to choose the best regional resources to refer someone who needs more help than you can give.
Feel confident with user-friendly tools for supporting your loved ones, friends, colleagues, employees, neighbours, patients, parishioners or clients.
Supervisors, HR people, and union reps can support an employee or colleague, resulting in satisfying work experiences and relationships.
Professional helpers gain or renew skills that complement and contribute to the other services you offer.
Informal helpers can feel confident that you can assist your community by filling a service gap effectively.
Incorporate your new skills into your current job or volunteer position.
Help as if you were a pro! (or even more so!)
About the author
Kate Tompkins is a rather white-haired curmudgeon who has been around the block several times. In her 50 years as a therapist and adult educator, she has worked with many small communities in crisis, and helped create community support groups, peer counselling groups, local shelters and crisis support phone lines. She has taught counselling skills to frontline workers, such as nurses, social workers, addictions counsellors, supervisors and union reps; and runs on-line in-service courses for therapists. Kate is currently a Registered Counselling Therapist with a private practice in Nova Scotia, Canada; and an adult educator. She lives in a sleepy town with her two dogs, a sailboat and a penchant for musical theatre.
