 “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)
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.
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
Learning Outcome Summary
In order to be an effective peer
helper, we must become
positive, personable, and
approachable humans.
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.
Facilitating Model
 Pre-Facilitating
 Listening
 Problem Identification and Analysis
 Resolution
 Follow-Up
 Referral
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.
Sally Walsh, MA Professional Counselor
John Akari, Resident Assistant
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.
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,

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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)
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?