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November 13, 2006
TRAINING REPORT : October 13, 2006 : Workshop : Peer Counseling
October 13, 2006
Workshop : Peer Counseling
by Ms. Keiko Higuchi, President of Studio IL Bunkyo
In the morning, Ms. Higuchi talked on her personal history. All participants understood how she overcame her difficulties in her life and came across Independent movement and peer counseling.
Then she explained about Peer counseling of persons with disabilities and she expressed how important it is.
* Peer Counseling
Peer counseling is mutual help among people who share the same or similar experiences, and there are various approaches including supplying information and knowledge regarding disabilities, listening to personal or emotional issues, and giving advice (in this case, protection of rights of persons with disabilities is also referred to). Our peer counseling aims to encourage discussion as to what kind of emotions clients have regarding the situations they are in; their needs, goals, etc., with the final aim where they can confidently make decisions and rational choices. There are two purposes of peer counseling: (1) setting a goal, and (2) creation of a powerful and positive self-image. The peer counselor has to always pay attention to the client during the session. This means carefully listening to the client, aiming to understand what situation the client is in and who they want to be in the future. This helps to find how the client can overcome self-doubt and passivity by using their good qualities or abilities. The peer counselor has to be focused so that the client can have a sense of security, feel the counselor is paying attention and cooperating with him or her. The fundamental idea of implementing peer counseling is the following: "Every person has abundant creativity, wisdom, joy, love, and a spirit of solidarity."
In the afternoon, seven participants and Ms. Higuchi made four pairs to conduct sessions. One took a role of peer counselor and the other act as a client.
After some time, they change roles and every one experienced both a counselor and client.
The counselor must not interfere while the client is talking, just listens to him/her carefully.
Today's topic was 'hardships you experinced because of disabilities.'
It seemed that the participants could express and speak about their experiences in comfortable atmosphere.
And they were very impressed by knowing a new skill and some of them even mentioned that they would like to try it in their countries.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2006/training/leader1013.html
Posted by jicafriends at November 13, 2006 10:13 AM