The Natural Helpers, a peer counseling organization run by students, requires its volunteers to take part in one training day before meeting with students seeking help, according to senior co-president Rand Phillips.

Natural Helper advisers plan to excuse peer counselors from classes in order to take part in the training day taught by school social worker Daniel Perez, according to co-adviser Allison Luksey.

Luskey said Perez plans to teach the Natural Helpers because he has a background in social work.

“The biggest reason why we have a peer counselor trainer is because the advisers, (Andrew) Carlson, (Katelyn) Lee and myself, have degrees in teaching. We don’t have a background in social work, so we don’t have enough counseling knowledge to pass on to students,” Luskey said. “We felt that we needed someone with counseling expertise. Mr. Perez has that expertise and is willing to help the Natural Helpers.”

Luskey said the training provides the counselors with tips to help students more effectively.
“The biggest thing the Natural Helpers will learn is knowing how to react when somebody approaches a Natural Helper about things they have going on. The peer counselors are taught things like how to truly listen, not just listening while deciding what to say next to the individual,” Luskey said. “Also, they learn about providing validation to people and to honor the trust that builds as a relationship develops.”

Phillips, a trained member of the club, said he believes the training session helps the peer counselors feel more confident while talking to students.

“As a leader, it’s good to have all Natural Helpers trained in the same process I was so they can feel a connection to each other as well as feeling competent when they are working with students,” Phillips said.

Junior Natural Helper Kamia Guy said she thinks the training benefits the peer counselors because it provides a framework for counselors when they help students.

“I think that it is important that the Natural Helpers are trained for counseling because if a peer counselor meets with a student, they should know what to do and say during that particular situation,” Guy said.

Luskey said the training also establishes relationships between the Natural Helpers.

“The training is also important because it helps build cohesiveness in the community of the Natural Helpers group. About two-and-a-half hours will be the training with Daniel Perez and then the rest will be growing as a group, working on the skills learned and having fun together,” Luskey said.

Phillips said there is no set training date but it will most likely take place in February.