Procedure: 

1. Participants form into groups of three or four.  A topic will be announced by the leader.  Each participant will be the "focus person" for five minutes.  The other members of the group assist the focus person in developing and expressing her or his ideas on the topic.  Note:  the new skill here is not being a focus person, it is being an active listener.
   
2. After the discussion period is over, the focus person will share her/his impressions of how well the group did in following each of the following guidelines:

Guidelines:

1. Focusing: The focus person is the absolute center of attention for five minutes.  Other group members do nothing that would draw attention to themselves
2. Drawing Out:  Other group members do everything they can to encourage the focus person to express what he or she thinks and why he or she thinks it.  This is usually done with questions that help; the focus person clarify his or her ideas.  The questions must not be disguised comments or criticisms, they are often very general such as:  "could you say more about that" or "could you give us an example of that" or even the old standby "thank you for sharing that with us" (as long as it is not meant sarcastically).  It may be helpful to restate what the person has said briefly, e.g., "I hear you saying..."  But do not use this as an opportunity to go on about yourself.
   
3. Acceptance:  The focus person must be accepted uncritically.  The point is to understand the person, not to make suggestions.  The group members do not have to agree with the focus person, but they should keep their disagreements to themselves.  Their goal is encourage the focus person to express himself or herself.

Theory:  Truax and Carkhuff found that three core conditions are essential for a successful helping relationship.  For a summary of this theory go to http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/cyf/cwelfare/CW%20Hndbk%20-%20APPX0L.pdf:

1. Accurate Empathy:  Empathy is the ability to perceive and communicate accurately and with sensitivity the feelings and
   experiences of another person.
2. Nonpossessive Warmth:   Nonpossessive warmth is communication of respect, acceptance, liking, caring, and concern for the individual or family without being controlling of them. It involves valuing each person as an individual, separate from any
   evaluation of his or her behavior or thoughts, and respecting his or her prerogative for decision making. Again, as with acceptance, nonjudgmental warmth does not necessarily convey approval of behavior or ideas, but rather an acknowledgment of the person’s rights for autonomy and worth as a human being.Genuineness:  Genuineness is being authentic, being oneself, being congruent in what is said and done, being nondefensive, and sometimes spontaneous. Genuineness does not mean sharing all of one’s thoughts with the other person; discretion and genuineness are not mutually exclusive.
   

Today's Topic:    What was I like in high school and how I want to be in college.