The Peer Helper's Pocketbook

by Sturkie, Joan

• ISBN13: 9780893902377
• ISBN10: 0893902373
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1992-05-01
• Publisher: Resource Pubns

Summary

A quick guide for peer helpers/counselors in middle schools and high schools.

Author Biography

Joan Sturkie is a nationally recognized author and peer counseling consultant. She is a former high school counselor and peer counseling teacher. She is a popular motivational speaker for conventions, banquets, workshops, and parent groups. Valerie Gibson, a former student of Sturkie's, has a degree in Urban Studies. She received the Outstanding Peer Counselor of the Year Award when she was a high school senior. Her experience in working with today's young people has given her a keen insight into their needs. She is the recipient of the 1985 Essertier Creative Writing Award.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Purpose Of The Peer Helper's Pocketbook	p. 2
How To Use The Peer Helper's Pocketbook	p. 3
Tips	p. 5
Rules For Helping Peers	p. 5
Meeting A Stranger	p. 7
Skills	p. 9
Developing Active Listening Skills	p. 10
Characteristics of Active Listening	p. 10
Responding to Helpees	p. 11
Sending Effective Messages	p. 15
Asking Questions	p. 18
Practicing Values Clarification, Problem Solving, and Decision Making	p. 19
Values Clarification	p. 19
Problem Solving and Decision Making Model	p. 20
Clarifying Conflicts and Finding Resolutions	p. 21
Intervening in a Crisis	p. 22
Physical Effects	p. 22
Steps to Follow	p. 23
The Helper-Helpee Relationship	p. 25
Initiating Contact	p. 25
Defining Your Role	p. 26
Establishing Trust	p. 26
Being Aware Of Boundaries	p. 28
Things to Be Aware Of	p. 28
Things to Remember	p. 29
Self-Awareness	p. 31
How To Check Your Self-Awareness	p. 34
Questions To Ask Yourself	p. 35
Concerning Active Listening	p. 35
Checking My Responses	p. 36
Examining the Helpee's Problem	p. 37
General Questions	p. 37
Referrals	p. 39
When To Refer	p. 40
Where To Refer	p. 42
Referral Phone List	p. 42
Steps In Referring	p. 47
Mandatory Reporting To Authorities	p. 48
Covering the Issues	p. 49
Suicide	p. 49
Stressful Situations That Can Trigger Suicidal Feelings	p. 50
Facts About Suicide Attempts	p. 50
Facts About Suicides Which Are Completed	p. 51
Danger Signs to Look For in the Potentially Suicidal Person	p. 51
What You Can Do to Help	p. 52
Common Misconceptions About Suicide	p. 54
Self-Esteem	p. 57
Child Abuse	p. 58
Types of Child Abuse	p. 58
Ways the Abused Child May Try to Cope	p. 59
Excerpt from a State Law	p. 59
What You Can Do	p. 60
Family Problems	p. 61
Divorce	p. 61
Parent/Child Communication Breakdown	p. 65
Conflict with Stepparents	p. 67
Death And Dying	p. 68
Facts About Grief	p. 68
Stages of Grief	p. 69
Ways You Can Help the Person Who is Grieving	p. 70
Fears the Dying Person May Have	p. 71
Stages of Death and Dying	p. 72
What You Can Do for the Dying Person	p. 73
Eating Disorders	p. 74
What Is an Eating Disorder?	p. 75
Types of Eating Disorders	p. 75
Symptoms of Eating Disorders	p. 76
Steps You Can Take for Helping Someone with an Eating Disorder	p. 78
Where to Refer the Helpee	p. 79
School Problems	p. 80
Steps to Follow When Working with the Helpee on School Problems	p. 81
Peer Pressure	p. 83
How to Assist a Helpee in Working Through Peer Pressure	p. 83
Substance Abuse	p. 85
Depressants	p. 87
Stimulants	p. 88
Hallucinogenics	p. 89
Narcotics	p. 90
Physical Symptoms/Indicators of Substance Abuse	p. 90
Symptoms Resulting or Relating Directly from Abuse	p. 91
Personality Characteristics and Feelings	p. 91
Symptoms Relating to School, Friends, and Social Habits	p. 92
Steps You Can Take When the Helpee is in Denial	p. 92
Steps You Can Take When the Helpee Has Admitted a Substance Abuse Problem	p. 93
Where to Refer the Helpee	p. 93
Things to Keep in Mind	p. 94
Teenage Pregnancy	p. 94
Facts about Teenage Pregnancy	p. 94
Considerations When Helping Pregnant Teens	p. 96
Motivation	p. 97
"Listen" (A Special Poem)	p. 99
Bibliography	p. 101
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