1. Ascentis Counselling Week three
To develop awareness of good and bad listening skills and attitudes.

2. Session Objectives Check in with yourself and the group
Consider, amend and sign group contract (unless done already)
Share homework on Good and Bad Listeners
Watch and discuss listening and not listening
DVD
Make a list of things good listeners do/things good listeners don’t do.
Consider Guidelines for Active Listening and identify own current strengths and weaknesses
Identify personal helping styles and potential impact in helping relationships

3. Check-in
How are you right now?
Your thoughts
Your feelings?
Your body?
Your spirit?

4. Group Agreement Consider the draft agreement.
Suggest amendments or additions, if required.
Sign the agreement.

5. Good and Bad Listeners
Share your experiences of a ood or bad listener with the group.
Watch and discuss the dvd
Access the Edinburgh Guidelines for Good Listening, via MOODLE.
List the qualities, skills, attitudes and habits which characterize good and bad listening, using the pro forma provided (on-going).

6. Active Listening Skills
Widely used in counselling and counselling skills contexts.
A special and focussed way of listening.
A range of skills which we will explore in the coming weeks.
An important part of counselling and the person-centred approach
Used to communicate the core conditions.

7. Guidelines for Good Listening
Listen with undivided attention and without interrupting; remember 90% of counselling time involves active listening.
Pay attention to suspending your own judgements of the person you are listening to.
Try to put your own feelings and experiences to one side, even (or especially) if you have experienced a similar situation to that of the person you are listening to. This will help you to gain a better understanding of how the other person feels.
Try to see the world from the other person’s point of view, or from his/her frame of reference.
Remember what has been said.
Pay attention to non-verbal as well as verbal communication (e.g. tone of voice or posture).
Try to tolerate pauses and silences, which are natural.

8. Guidelines for Good Listening
Avoid asking lots of questions, especially to break silences.
When you do ask questions, try to ensure that they are open questions
Pay attention to your seating, can you see and be seen easily by the other person, are you both comfortable, are their any physical barriers between you
Try to maintain good eye contact without staring!
Smile – if appropriate – it can convey warmth and understanding
Try to maintain a relaxed, alert and open posture, leaning slightly towards the person, but without infringing his/her personal space.
Try to remember that it is the quality of the responses which matter: not the quantity.
Be patient and do not force the pace.

9. Personal Helping Styles
Complete the work sheet provided and, if you wish, share your findings with another person in the group

10. Homework