helpline skills refresher for experienced helpline workers - helplines ireland
DESCRIPTION
A refresher skills training course presentation from Helplines Ireland https://www.facebook.com/HelplinesirelandTRANSCRIPT
Refresher Training for Helpline workers
Devised & delivered by
Helplines Ireland
Aims for the session
To refresh and update your existing listening skills
Introduce the CUP model – a reminder tool (kindly shared by Third Age (Ireland) – Senior Helpline)
To practice some of the skills of helpline worker/volunteer
To look at some ideas on Challenging calls and self-care
Housekeeping
Phones: silent/OffToiletsTea/coffeeLunchSkills Practice
Contract:Respect viewsConfidentiality
Questions – ask at any time (Parking...)
First....
Your name…Something positive about yourselfI’ll go first….
Talk Time
04/13/23 5
Task
o Have a conversation with someone that you don’t know in this group
o Introduce yourselves to each other
o Talk about your interests, hobbies, lifestyle, family
(you have 4 minutes each)
Talk time feedbackWhat helped this conversation?
What hindered this conversation?
What rules (conventions) were observed?
Was this communication?
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Communication – face to face
3 Aspects of face to face communicationBody LanguageTone of voiceWords
According to research: 55% of impact is determined by body
language- postures, gestures & eye contact
38% by the tone of voice7% by the content of the words used in
the communication processWhat are the implications of this for a helpline?
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As a helpline volunteer/worker....
What helps you to communicate?
As a helpline volunteer/worker....
What hinders you in your communication?
Personality traits able , active, adventurous,
affectionate, alert, ambitious, attentive, artistic
bold, bossy, brainy, brave, bright, brilliant, busy
calm , careful, cautious, charming, cheerful, clever, concerned, confident, considerate, cooperative, courageous, curious , creative,
daring, decisive, demanding, dependable, determined, dutiful, decision maker
eager, easygoing, efficient, encouraging, energetic, excited, expert
fair, faithful, fearless, fierce, fortunate, fresh, friendly, funny, fixer
gentle, giving, glamorous, good, graceful, grateful
happy, healthy, helpful, honest, hopeful, humorous,
imaginative, independent, industrious, innocent, intelligent
kindly, leader, lively, loving, loyal, lucky, mature
nice, obedient peaceful, pleasant, polite,
popular, positive, precise, proper, proud, quick, quiet
rational, reliable, religious, responsible, safe, satisfied, serious, sharp, skilful, smart, strict, sweet , strong opinioned
talented, tall, thankful, thoughtful, tolerant, trusting, trustworthy, useful, warm, wise
Note some of your own positive personality traits
Are there downsides to these positive traits?
Qualities that can challenge us
Problem-solving People who are good at problem solving may
have to hold back on the helpline and instead give more time for the caller to come up with their own ideas.
Qualities that can challenge us
Having strong opinions or being independent mindedBeing too different could be an obstacle to
understanding other people. Empathy is putting ourselves in the shoes of the caller and having a real feeling for what they are going through.
You might have to hold back on the helpline rather than giving their own opinion
Qualities that can challenge us
Wanting to help othersThough clearly a positive trait, it can be hard
when we want to do more than the service allows. Also, if caller does not ‘play-ball’ there can be a “self-discrepancy” where we are not able to fulfill our expectations of ourselves.
This can frustrate the helpline worker
Qualities that can challenge us
Experience & knowledge If we feel we know this ‘type’ of call, we may not
tune in fully . This can make it hard to really listen & understand the caller.
If while listening we are preparing our reply, we are not making ourselves available to really understand what the caller is saying.
CUP model*
Stage 1 Connecting
Getting to know the caller/building rapport
Stage 2 Understanding
The caller, the situation and the feelings
Stage 3 emPowering:
A helping action with the caller – the power of listening or other action…
* Source: Third Age (Ireland) – Senior Helpline http://www.thirdageireland.ie/what-we-do/14/senior-helpline/
Stage 1 – Connecting (Listening Skills)
Tone of voiceWarm and welcomingCaring, interested
Open questionsWho, what, where,
when, how, why – open up conversation-
Closed questionsTo clarify – require
yes/no answer – close down conversation
RepeatingWord or phrases used
by caller – shows interest, lets caller know you’re listening,
Timing – lets caller continue
Allow pausesDon’t interrupt pausesGivers caller space –
you are still ‘attending’Can be uncomfortable –
so don’t leave too long
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Stage 1 – Connecting (Listening Skills)
Invitations‘tell me more…’‘tell me about that…’‘is there something in
particular you’d like to talk about…’
‘is there something on your mind…’
Followed by…Why don’t you tell me about that…..
Paraphrasingrestating another
person’s statement in your own words to gain understanding
Clarify whether what you have heard is what has been said!!!???
May not be necessary in many short verbal exchanges
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Stage 1 – Connecting (Listening Skills) Paraphrasing Example
Caller: “I really thought I’d enjoy his retirement, but now he’s actually retired we argue about everything”
Paraphrase: “If I’m hearing you correctly, spending time together after his retirement, hasn’t turned out as you’d hoped”
Speaker: “Exactly.”
Stage 1 – Connecting (Listening Skills) Paraphrasing Example
Speaker: “I feel awful today.”
Paraphrase: “It sounds like you’re coming down with something”
Speaker: “Actually, I’m just upset as I had an argument with my daughter this morning before she went to school”
Clarification
Stage 1 – Connecting (Listening Skills)Trust and Rapport
Assurances re Anonymity and confidentiality
Authority: Information on topic & services or signposting
Stage 1 – Connecting (Listening Skills) Empathy
Empathy and Sympathy http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=jR5kq5Qc9ws&feature=endscreen
Empathy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_1Rt1R4xbM
CUP model
Stage 1 Connecting
Getting to know the caller/building rapport
Stage 2 Understanding
The caller, the situation and the feelings
Stage 2 - UnderstandingTools in our toolkit
Reflecting back “it sounds like it’s been….”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESujTCel6lM Paraphrasing “So, it seems that this was a
big shock for you…” Reframing “It sounds like you’ve developed a
number of skills in dealing with this over time….” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGhEjC-5WDE
Stage 2 - Understanding
Reflecting a feeling:You sound: happy/sad/anxious? – I am
wondering is that how you feel?Is there something in particular you’d like to talk
about?Would you like to tell me more?You sound like you would/might want to talk
about something in particular....
Stage 2 - Understanding Exploring
Summarising/Clarifying “Am I right in saying, that you…”
Getting fuller picture: “Tell me more?”
“What was that about?” “Who do you lean on?” “How are you coping?” “What has helped before?”
CUP model
Stage 1 Connecting
Getting to know the caller/building rapport
Stage 2 Understanding
The caller, the situation and the feelings
Stage 3 emPowering:
A helping action with the caller – the power of listening or other action…
Stage 3 - emPowering
Don’t jump to stage 3 too earlyLinger on Stage 1 &2, particularly if a caller is
responding well to Connecting and feeling Understood
EmPowering – may not be what many of our callers need – they may be emPowered by you just listening
Stage 3 - emPowering the callerListening skillsExplore options ‘what options have you
considered?
Assess personal support - ‘is there anyone you can turn to for help?’ ‘Have you anyone to talk to?’ ‘ A friend?’ ‘Family member?’
Help them evaluate that support. ‘What happens when you talk to someone? Has it helped? Does it help?
Assess professional support - ‘could you go to your GP’?/’Have you gone to your GP’? ‘Have you heard of..... (relevant professional organisation)?’
Stage 3 - emPowering the callerListening skillsGoal setting type questions.. Do you think you
might….?Summarise any action they decide to
consider/or undertakeAsk the caller ‘how do you feel now you have
had the chance to talk to me?’ or ‘Have you any thoughts on what you may do now you have talked about the situation’
Affirm the caller by praising the positive step taken by making the ‘phone call to share their situation
Invite them to call again
Stage 3 - emPowering continued:
Don’t leave callers too raw If caller was emotional during the call, we need to
acknowledge that & maybe look at techniques for caller to mind themselves after the call, given what has been discussed:
“What are your plans for after the call?” “Would it be possible for you to talk further with
someone about this?” “Can you do something nice for yourself this evening- a
walk, a bath, a nice supper perhaps?”
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Helpline skills practice
TaskBreak into groups of 3(or 2 with no
observer)Observer/caller/volunteer
Your call will last – 5 minsEmphasis on listening skills –try these
out – especially a skill you may currently not use much
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Helpline skills practice
Caller – to have a situation/problem/issue in mind
Volunteer – to focus on being available & listening
Observer – to be aware of the skills used and to keep time
Feedback – share any learning
Challenging calls
Strategies for support
Self care
Vicarious trauma and burnout
Challenging calls
What types of calls challenge you the most?
Strategies for support
Ideas of strategies for managing challenging calls and their impact
The importance of Self Care
To enable you to provide a good serviceTo keep you mentally and physically wellTo make work more enjoyableTo reduce the impact of the work on your
personal life. To prevent Vicarious Trauma:
Definition: When continued exposure to other peoples trauma starts to impact on your life and your view of the world
Self-Care Strategies (1)
Simple breathing exercises – inhale slowly, hold for the count of 3 and exhale.
Stand up – shake out your arms and legs Sitting down, put your feet flat on the
floor, close your eyes and feel the chair supporting you
Leave the room, stretch your legs, make a cup of tea, talk to a colleague or supervisor
Self-Care Strategies (2)
Use your supervision structures Use your debriefing structures Allow time between calls to log the
call,debrief and also to take a break Be honest with yourself and your team Look at Policies that are there to protect
youFor more on this visit:
http://www.defence.gov.au/health/DMH/SelfHelp/Documents/FS_Vicarious_Trauma.pdf
Vicarious Trauma prevention ABC’s
Awareness – being attuned to one’s needs, limits, emotions and resources; practice self-acceptance.
Balance – maintaining balance among activities, especially work, play and rest.
Connection – maintaining supportive relationships; communication is part of connection and breaks the silence of unacknowledged pain; these connections help prevent isolation and increase validation and hope.
Recap on aims for the session
To refresh and update your existing listening skills
Introduce the CUP model – a reminder tool
To practice some of the skills of helpline worker/volunteer
To look at some ideas on Challenging calls and self-care
One thing you can take away from today
One skill or area you would like to develop
Take-aways?
Thank you
Thank you for your attention, we hope that this has been a helpful course for you.
Please note that these course materials are subject to an Attribution-Non Commercial CC BY-NC Creative Commons Licence. This makes the course material free to be used by others but imposes some small rules of Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. Also it must not be used for commercial purposes.