Training for the first three groups of volunteer court counselors of the Portsmouth (Va.) Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court during 1973 was accomplished in a series of four short meetings conducted by various professionals. In December 1973, the author received a Title I grant to conduct an intensive training workshop for volunteer counselors during the summer of 1974. The training program, consisting of eight three-hour meetings, used an experiential-didactic model in which participants worked in skill-building sessions focusing on listening-attending behaviors, empathic responding behaviors, questioning or probing behaviors, and initiative and problem-solving behaviors. In addition, participants were encouraged to practice their skills between sessions and to keep a diary of their experiences. These diaries served as a basis for discussions and for increasing participant self-awareness. Pre- and post-measures of communication skills showed significant participant improvement. A post-workshop subjective evaluation by participants was highly positive. (Author/PC)
Notes:
Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Personnel and Guidance Association (31st, New York, New York, March 23-26, 1975)
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