Interviewing & Counselling at the Grass Roots

From the Introduction:

"This manual is, firstly, about Interviewing (Section Two). This is the art and skill of getting the information you need from someone. Information may be facts – perhaps those needed to register a new client - or you might want to go further, looking perhaps for an understanding of the new contact’s emotional situation. The second half of the manual is about Counselling (Section Three), which is the art and skill of helping someone to make their own good choices. Guidance is a word for a similar process, when people offer informal ideas and solutions to others, as advice concerning the life challenges they are facing. But this manual uses the word counselling. It suggests finding solutions together, rather than one person offering solutions and the other person accepting them."

The manual is written to help professionals in developing countries improve their skills in listening, talking, and helping people to make good decisions about organising their lives, particularly in the face of disaster, disease, conflict, or any circumstances that challenge people's daily lives. It is based upon setting up a study group with which to practice the skills and includes role plays and checklists for evaluating counselling and interview skills, as well as a suggested timetable for the exercises.