Body&Soul

Peer Counselor’s

Handbook
Body&Soul

Peer Counselor’s

Handbook

Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................. 2

The Four Communication Skills .............................................................. 4

Asking Open Questions ................................................................. 4

Listening and Reflecting ..................................................................... 7

Building Motivation ........................................................................ 10

Summarizing Thoughts and Plans ........................................................................ 15

Getting Started ............................................................................. 16

Peer Counselor Tools ....................................................................... 17

Peer Counseling Road Map ......................................................................... 18

Starters for Open Questions and Reflections ..................................................................... 19

Values Sheet ......................................................................... 20

Importance and Confidence Rulers .............................................................. 21

Self-Assessment Form ......................................................................... 22

Frequently Asked Questions about Being a Peer Counselor ................................. 23

Nutrition Information .......................................................................... 24

Acknowledgments ............................................................................. 31
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper

and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

3 John 1:2

Introduction

Congratulations on your selection as a Peer Counselor!

Your work will help members of your church improve

their health by eating better.

What Is Peer Counseling?

Peer Counseling offers one-on-one attention and support to those who have signed up to receive it. It has

successfully helped members of African American

churches take the first step toward good health by

adding more fruits and vegetables to their diet.

In the training, you will learn four communication skills

that will make it easier to talk with members of your

church about eating more fruits and vegetables. These

four skills are:

1. Asking open questions

2. Listening and Reflecting

3 . Building motivation

4. Summarizing thoughts and plans

Using the Peer Counselor’s Handbook

The Peer Counselor’s Handbook was designed to help

you be an effective Peer Counselor. Use it with the training movie to learn and practice the communication skills

This Handbook contains:

• Information about the four communication skills.

• All of the points made in the movie are also in your

handbook. There is space for you to take notes.

• Exercises that will help you practice these communication, skills.

• Peer Counselor tools to help guide you through

conversations with church members.

• Resources about the benefits of eating, more fruits

and vegetables.

• Frequently asked questions about being a Peer

Counselor.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 2
Respecting the Privacy of Others

Peer counseling is built on trust. Trust that the Peer

Counselor is a safe person to talk to and that what is

shared will remain private. Many of us are used to sharing the things we do, and the things we talk about,

with family and friends. The talks your Peer Counselors

have with church members must remain private except

When information is shared that discloses a serious

issue where outside help may be needed.

Peer counseling offers people a chance to talk freely

and for some people this may allow them to share worries and pressure that you did not know they were facing. Someone may share that they don’t eat fruits and

vegetables anymore because they lost their job, or have

too many bills as a result of a serious medical problem,

or because they are depressed and not eating.

As a Peer Counselor you do not need to solve these

problems but to use your peer counseling skills to

obtain appropriate help:

• Use appropriate reflections about the problem (the

loss of your job has left you without enough food

for your family and you are worried about what to

do; your loneliness is making it hard for you to eat

even when you know you should)

• Ask permission to share, the disclosure with your

Coordinator in order to have your Coordinator look

for appropriate help (I’m really concerned and I’d

like to talk to our Coordinator about this and see

what help is available. Would that be all right with

you?)

Tips for Using this Handbook

• Look through this handbook before the training

workshop. The more familiar you are with what

peer counseling is, the more you will gain from

the training.

• Use this handbook as a resource. It will guide

you as you begin to serve as a Peer Counselor.

The Spirit of Peer Counseling

• Peer Counselors use a style of communication

that is open, supportive, and not judgmental.

• Peer Counselors help people create their own

plans for change. They generally give no advice

and don’t push people into changes they are not

ready to make.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 3
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple

and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”

1 Corinthians 3:16

The Four Communication Skills

This section contains information about the four communication skills that are presented in the movie.

Follow along as you watch the training movie. Take

notes and highlight sections that are important to you.

ASKING OPEN QUESTIONS

One of the skills important to being a Peer Counselor

is the ability to ask open questions.

What Is an Open Question?

Open questions:

• Can’t be answered with “yes” or “no”

• Allow for a fuller, richer discussion

• Are non-judgmental

• Let the people you counsel think out loud

• Allow them to do most of the talking, using their

own words

• Let them know the conversation is about them

What Is a Closed Question?

Closed questions:

• Can usually be answered with “yes” or “no.”

• Let the person who asks the question do most of

the talking.

• Can be judgmental because they can force a person

into a certain answer.

Answers to Open Questions

Answers to open questions often give a lot of

information. For example, if you ask, “What do you

think about eating more fruits and vegetables)”

people might tell you about:

• Their motivations or barriers

• Their health concerns

• The influence of friends and family

• The impact of the pastor’s message

Answers like these help you understand the people

you counsel. And the better your understanding,

the more able you are to support them as they work

toward a healthier diet.

Examples of Open and Closed Questions

Open Closed

Why did you sign up for peer counseling?

Tell me about some fruits and vegetables

you like to eat?

Are you interested in eating a healthier diet?

Do you want to eat more fruits and vegetables?

What kinds of fruits and vegetables do you like? Do you like fruits and vegetables?

How, if at all, have your eating habits changed

over time?

Do you still eat the same foods. now as you did

a few years ago?

What would help you to eat more fruits and

vegetables?

Is cost a problem for you?

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 4
Starters for Open and Closed Questions Open questions start differently than closed questions.

Open Closed

Tell me about ... Do you ...

To what extent ...

What else ...

Help me understand ...

How did you ...

What, if any ...

Will you ...

Can you ...

Is it ...

Did you ...

Are you ...

SUMMARY OF ASKING OPEN QUESTIONS

Open questions:

• Let the other person talk

• Cast a broad net

• Keep the ball rolling

• Are not biased

• Make few assumptions

• Are not judgmental

People respond to open questions:

• With more information

• In their own words

Closed questions:

• Let you do most of the talking

• Are very specific

• Stifle conversation

• Might imply the right answer

• Narrow the choices

• May force agreement

People respond to closed questions:

• With brief, yes/no answers

• Without explaining or opening up

5
Exercise 2: Everyday Questions

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Listen to the questions that reporters ask on the

TV news. Are the questions mainly open or closed?

How does the type of question affect the answer?

When TV commercials try to sell you a product, do

they ask mainly closed or open questions? Why?

Pay attention to the people around you at home,

at work, or while traveling. What kinds of questions do they ask? How does the type of question

encourage conversation, or cut it short?

Pay attention to your own questions. Do you

usually ask open or closed ones?

Try to change some of your closed questions to

open ones. For example, say, “What happened

today?” instead of, “Did you have s good day?”

When you ask more open questions, do people

share more information with you?

PRACTICE EXERCISES

This exercise is also on the movie. You can use this

sheet with the movie or you can use it to review your

skills at a different time.

Exercise 1: How Would you turn these closed

questions into open ones?

1. Do you like fruit?

Open ended:

2. Do you enjoy trying new fruits and vegetables?

Open ended:

3. Is it difficult for you to find time to cook?

Open ended:

4. Does your family eat vegetables regularly?

Open ended:

5. Are you ready to start eating more fruits and

vegetables?

Open ended:

6. Practice changing closed questions to open ones

when you get together with other Peer Counselors.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 6
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,

who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

1 Corinthians 6: 19-20

LISTENING AND REFLECTING

Reflective listening is like holding a mirror up as people

speak. It allows them to hear aloud things they may

have only been thinking about. It also helps to show

that you understand what they have said.

What Is Reflective Listening?

Reflective listening:

• Is active listening - listening carefully to the words

that are spoken and to the emotions that may be

behind those words.

• Keeps people thinking and talking.

• Forces you to listen - you can’t reflect if you’re

not paying attention.

A reflection is a statement that:

• Reflects, as a mirror does, what people have said

or what they are feeling.

• Lets you check that you understand what has been

shared and shows your desire to understand.

• Opens the door for people to keep talking.

A reflection is not:

• Giving advice

• A question

How Peel Counselors Use Reflective Listening

Peer Counselors:

• Listen and reflect what they hear.

• Remain supportive and non-judgmental.

• Help people find their own solutions by letting

them sift through their thoughts and feelings. This

can help them set realistic goals and decide how to

achieve them.

• Don’t give advice or try to solve problems.

Reflective Listening vs. Giving Advice:

Examples from the movie

In the movie, Nanette and Belinda speak together after

church. Belinda tells Nanette that the pastor’s sermon

has her thinking about changing how she eats.

In the first example, Nanette gives Belinda advice

instead of listening. Belinda then argues against the

advice and changes the topic.

Belinda: Girl, y’know, Pastor got me thinking today about

how I eat. My blood pressure being high and all.

Nanette: You’re right. You’d better do something. You

saw what happened to Deacon Smith?

Belinda: Right out of the blue.

Nanette: I’m telling you, what did he say today in the

service? “You better stop eating that greasy food.”

Belinda: I know you’re right. But it’s not that easy. I mean,

who has time to shop and eat right, and buy the right thing.

In the second example, Nanette uses reflective listening

to help Belinda solve her problem by herself.

Belinda: Girl, y’know, Pastor got me thinking today about

how I eat. My blood pressure being high and all.

Nanette: Sounds like the pastor really got to you today.

Belinda: Yes, he did. You know, it’s really something about

that body/temple connection.

Nanette: Yeah, the pastor’s message about the

body/temple connection, it's made you want to eat

a little healthier.

Belinda: Yeah, I think I’m ready for myself, but I’m not

sure about the kids. They’re kind of impossible to cook

for because they don't go for that healthy stuff.

Nanette: So, girl, what you’re telling me is that the kids

need to eat healthier, but for right now that’s going to take

some time. So, you ready to start for yourself?

Belinda: Yeah, I think I am ready to start for myself. I think

I better take care of myself first.

Nanette: So, tell me about some of those ideas you’re

gonna try.

Belinda: Well, at work, in the afternoon, maybe I could

eat an apple, instead of chips, and I could eat a banana for

breakfast in the morning.

Nanette: Hmm. Sounds like a piece of fruit is the way to go.

BeIinda: Yeah, I think I could do that.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 7
Notice how Nanette listens to Belinda and then

responds with a statement that reflects, as a mirror does, what Belinda has just said. Nanette does

not respond with her own thoughts on what Belinda

should do.

By using reflective listening, Nanette:

• Lets Belinda know that she has heard her concerns.

• Lets Belinda know the discussion is about her.

• Gives Belinda a chance to hear what she has just

said, stated a little differently.

• Lets Belinda think through her own thoughts and

feelings about what she wants to do.

• Gives Belinda support for the plan she has come up

with on her own.

Reflective Listening Tips

Here are some ideas for using reflective listening:

• Reflections end with a drop in the voice, not an

upturn. An upturn makes a reflection sound like

a question. Listen to how the Peer Counselors in

the movie use their voices.

• Don’t worry about being perfect. There are

many possible reflections to every statement.

You’ll still get useful information even if you don’t

get it quite right.

• If you’re confused about what the person means,

you might say: “I’m not sure I fully understand what

you mean. Let me see if I have this right ...”

• It’s OK if the person says “no.” Use no’s as a clue

to change direction.

• Some people may make statements like, “God

loves me no matter what I eat.” A simple reflection

such as, “You feel certain of God’s love” will keep

the conversation going in a positive direction.

• Avoid phrases like “you need” and “you have a

problem.” These sound judgmental.

• Avoid phrases like “you could” and “you should.”

These phrases are lead-ins to giving advice.

• Remember, just thinking about eating more

fruits and vegetables may be a good first step for

some people.

Summary: Reflective Listening

Reflections:

• Can be about what was said, or about the emotions

behind what was said

• Move you closer to a better understanding of the

key issues involved

• Show that you are listening and that the person’s

thoughts and feelings matter to you

• Encourage conversation

• Build rapport

• Don’t need to be perfect

Reflections let you:

• Learn more

• Be supportive,

• Be non-judgmental

Reflections let the person:

• Voice thoughts or feelings they may not have talked

about before

• Feel understood

• Feel accepted without judgment

• Hear their thoughts and feelings restated

• Make themselves clear by adding to or changing

what they have said

• Talk about all sides of an issue

• Set realistic goals and decide how to achieve them

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 8
PRACTICE EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Dropping Your Voice

Practice letting your voice drop at the end of this sentence: “So getting your kids to eat healthier foods may

take sometime.” Keep saying it until you have a feel

for letting your voice drop. Then have a friend listen to

make sure that you are making a statement, instead of

asking a question.

Exercise 2: Making Reflections

Below is a list of things people might say during a discussion about eating more fruits and vegetables. How

would you reflect on what they have shared? Write

your reflections in the spaces provided.

You can use this sheet with the movie or you can use

it to review your skills at a different time.

Example: “I’d eat more fruit if I could buy it at work!”

Reflection: You would like to eat more fruit, but you

can’t buy it at work. OR You can’t buy fruit at work.

1. I eat lots of fruit and vegetables in the summer, but

not the rest of the year.

Reflection:

2. My mother always told me to eat lots of fruits

and vegetables if I wanted to grow up to be strong

and healthy.

Reflection:

3.

4.

5.

Living alone, I find I just don’t cook the way I used to.

Reflection:

I used to eat lots of fruit, but then I found out I

have diabetes.

Reflection:

I know they’re good for me, but I just don’t have

time to prepare them.

Reflection:

Exercise 3: Look Around You

1. Create reflections for statements you find in newspapers or magazines.

2 . Pay attention to the discussions going on around

you. What happens when people give advice? Does

the advice encourage or cut off conversation? Do

you think it will be followed?

3. Pay attention to your own talks. Do you usually

share your thoughts and feelings, or do you listen

and reflect?

4. Try to change your own style to one where you

listen more and respond with reflections. Does the

change affect how much people share with you?

5. Practice making reflections when you get together

with other Peer Counselors.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 9
“Cast not away your confidence,

which hath great recompense of reward.”

Hebrews 10:35

BUILDING MOTIVATION

Peer Counselors help people build motivation by:

Tips for Discussing Values

• Connecting personal values to a healthier diet

• Identifying the perceived benefits and barriers to

eating more healthfully

Here are some ways to discuss values:

• Boosting confidence to take action

Motivation and Values

Values are our principles - like being there for family,

or doing God’s will. Ideally, they shape the choices

we make. Values are often at the heart of making

healthy lifestyle choices. When people discover that

healthy eating is related to their values, it’s often easier

for them to find the motivation to put their beliefs

into action.

• Stay neutral/non-judgmental. Some people

will see the tie between their values and eating

habits. Others won’t. That’s OK. Even if you think

there is a dear link between a person’s values and

eating more fruits and vegetables, avoid saying so.

It’s important for people to make the connection

for themselves.

• Reflect. Be sure to make reflections while people

are discussing their values. This shows that you are

listening and that you understand the reasons for

their choices.

How Peer Counselors Use Values

As a Peer Counselor, you can help people think about

the values that guide their lives. In general, people

really enjoy talking about their values. Often, this

exercise helps them think about whether there is a tie

between their values and their eating habits. When

they see a link, this can help to build motivation for

change. You can help them:

• Identify their core values by using the Values Sheet

(page 20).

• Understand why these values are important to

them.

• Decide what link, if any, they see between their

values and eating more fruits and vegetables.

We see the role of values in the conversation between

Belinda and Nanette in the movie. The pastor’s sermon

has shown Belinda that her eating habits do not give

proper respect to her body as a temple of His Holy

Spirit. In talking with Nanette, she decides to eat more

fruits and vegetables to bring her actions in line with

her beliefs.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 1 0
PRACTICE EXERCISE

Exercise: Asking About Values.

With a partner, practice asking about values using the

values list and script below. Feel free to take notes to

help you with your reflections.

Step 1. Please share with me three values you feel are

most important to you in guiding the decisions you

make in your life. You can choose values listed below

or values that are important to you but are not listed.

o Spirituality, to grow and mature spiritually

o Family, to have a happy, loving family

o God’s will, to follow God’s plan for me

o Good Christian, to follow the teachings of the Bible

o Health, to be physically well

o Responsible, to do what I said I would do

o Disciplined, to do what is right

o Independent, to be able to meet my own needs

o Considerate, to be thoughtful of others

o Honesty, to be truthful in all areas of my life

o Inner peace, to feel a sense of quiet/calmness

within me

o Friendship, to be a good friend and have close,

supportive friends

o Helpfulness, to reach out to others

o Loving, to give and receive love

o Hopeful, to remain positive in my view of the world

o Other

Step 2. What do each of the values mean to you?

1.

2.

3.

Step 3. What connection, if any, do you see between

any of the values you chose and eating more fruits and

vegetables?

Step 4. Reflect.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 1 1
Motivation — Building Importance and

Confidence

Motivation is a combination of importance and

confidence:

Importance means how important it is to a person to

eat more fruits and vegetables. The level of importance

is based on the personal benefits they see to eating

more fruits and vegetables. Often, a person sees the

benefits of healthy eating, but they may have other

needs or priorities in their lives.

Confidence means how confident. or sure a person

is about their ability to change their eating habits.

Confidence is key to making changes. People

sometimes feel less confident because they have

barriers, such as not knowing how to prepare

vegetables. Taking small steps that lead to larger goals

can help increase confidence.

How Peer Counselors Use Motivation

Talking about importance and confidence can be a

turning point in the conversation. Peer Counselors

should discuss both issues because:

• One person may think it’s very important to eat

more fruits and vegetables, but they may lack the

confidence to do so.

• However, another person might feel very confident

that they can change their habits, but may not think

it’s important to do so.

• Understanding both issues can help a person

develop a realistic plan of action.

These discussions can raise a number of questions.

They include:

• How much do I want to make this change?

• What could get in my way?

• What could help?

• What would my first step be?

Importance and Confidence Ruler

An easy way for Peer Counselors to learn about a person’s

motivation is by using Importance and Confidence Rulers.

Remember, the people you are counseling may not have

a copy of the ruler.

Importance and Confidence Ruler

Not at all Somewhat Very

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Start by using the ruler to learn about importance.

1. Ask: “How important is it to you to eat more fruits

and vegetables? On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being

not important at all, and 10 being very important,

where would you place yourself?”

2. After the person gives you a number, ask: “Why did

you choose , and not a lower number like

1 or 2?” (If they choose 0 or 1, ask instead, “Why

such a low number?”) Their answers to this question

will tell you the benefits they see to eating more

fruits and vegetables.

3. Reflect on the reasons given.

4. Ask: “What would it take to move your number a

little higher?” Their answers will tell you what would

motivate them to eat more fruits and vegetables.

5. Reflect.

Ask similar questions about confidence.

1. Ask: “How confident are you that you could eat

more fruits and vegetables if you decided to?

On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being not confident

at all, and 10 being very confident, where would

you place yourself?”

2. After people give you a number, ask: “Why did you

choose , and not a lower number like 1 or 2?”

(If they choose 0 or 1, ask instead, “Why such a low

number?”) Their answers to this question will tell

you what helps them to feel confident.

3. Reflect on the reasons given.

4. Ask: “What would it take to move your number a

little higher?” Their answers will tell you what would

increase their confidence.

5. Reflect.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 1 2
How Peer Counselors Help People Move

Toward Action

Discussing values, importance, and confidence should

give you an idea of why the person you are counseling might want to eat more fruits and vegetables. For

those who are ready to change, you can help them

develop a realistic action plan:

• Ask if the person has some ideas for eating more

fruits and vegetables.

• Reflect on these ideas in a way that provides

support for a plan: “You can see yourself

and sticking with it.”

If the person you are counseling doesn’t have a plan,

provide guidance:

• Get permission to share some ideas that have

worked for others.

• Share information from the nutrition section of this

handbook or offer ways to get more information,

such as through nutrition activities at the church.

Ask if any of these ideas could be useful.

Reflect on these ideas. in a way that provides support

for a plan: “You can see yourself

and sticking with it.”

If the person does not develop a plan, that’s OK. Offer

a reflection like, “You’re interested in eating more fruits

and vegetables, but you’re not ready to start yet.”

Summary of Building Motivation

The Values Sheet and the Importance and Confidence

Rulers are useful tools for Peer Counselors. The way

people respond to them will depend on their life

experience, knowledge, and hopes. Some people may

develop a tentative plan. That plan could involve

bringing a healthy snack to work each day. Or, it could

simply involve thinking about eating healthier food.

Whatever the response, don’t push. This may be the

first time they have had a chance to really think about

how they eat and whether they could make, healthier

choices. Just thinking about these issues can be an

important first step toward better eating habits.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 13
PRACTICE EXERCISES

Exercise: Importance and Confidence

With a partner, practice asking about importance and

confidence by using the ruler and the script below. Feel

free to take notes to help you with your reflections.

How important is it to you to eat more fruits and

vegetables? On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being not

important at all, and 10, being very important, where

would you place yourself?

Importance and Confidence Ruler

Not at all Somewhat Very

123456789 10

1. What number did you choose?

2. Why did you choose , and not a lower

number like 1 or 2?

3. Reflect.

4. What would it take to move your number a little

higher?

5. Reflect.

Now think about your confidence level.

How confident are you that you could eat more fruits

and vegetables if you decided to? On a scale of 0 to

10, with 0 being not confident at all, and 10 being

very confident, where would you place yourself?

Importance and Confidence Ruler

Not at all Somewhat Very

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1. What number did you choose?

2. Why did you choose , and not a lower

number like 1 or 2?

3. Reflect.

4. What would it take to move your number a little

higher?

5. Reflect.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 1 4
SUMMARIZING THOUGHTS AND PLANS

The person you counsel will get more out of the

conversation if you summarize their thoughts

and plans.

What is a Summary?

A summary restates the key parts of the conversation.

The summary may include:

• Thoughts

• Concerns

• Plans

• Reflections

(especially those that produced a strong reaction)

How to Use a Summary

A summary can be useful in a number of ways. It can

help the person:

• Recall the conversation

• Think of new ideas

• Plan their next steps

• Peel more confident about moving forward

Summary Tips

Try these tips for summarizing thoughts and plans:

Take notes. Notes will give you a reference point

for what to include in the summary. Focus on:

• Why the person feels it’s important to eat more

fruits and vegetables, or what gets in their way.

• Their level of confidence.

• Concerns about eating a healthier diet.

• Values and benefits that may act as motivators.

• Any plans that have been discussed.

Check to see if the person wants to add

anything to the summary. Ask, “What would

you like to add?” Reviewing the conversation may

have brought up other thoughts, or even another

idea for eating more fruits and vegetables

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever

you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

PRACTICE EXERCISE

Exercise: Summarize Your Values and Motivation

1. What values would you choose?

2. How important is eating more fruits and vegetables

to you?

3. Thinking about your confidence level, how confident

are you, that you could eat more fruits and vegetables

if you decided to?

4. What plan could you make to eat more fruits and

vegetables?

5. How would you summarize your own values,

importance, confidence, and plan?

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 1 5
“Share with God’s people who are in need.

Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

Getting Started

GET READY

One day soon, your church’s Peer Counseling

Coordinator will tell you which church members you

are responsible for contacting. It’s only natural to feel

a little nervous as you prepare to step into your new

role. Try to remember two things:

1. They will be expecting your call because they signed

up for peer counseling.

2. You were asked to be a Peer Counselor because

you are good at listening and giving support.

GET SET

You may want to practice your counseling skills before

the first conversation. Try these ideas:

• Practice a conversation about eating more fruits and

vegetables with another Peer Counselor. Tape the

practice session, if possible. Listening to the tape

will help you identify areas for more practice.

• Use the Self-Assessment Form (page 22) to help you

check how you’re doing.

• Review the conversation in the movie.

Gather all the supplies you’ll need for the discussion.

These include:

• Peer Counseling Roadmap (page 18)

• Starters for Open Questions and Reflections

(page 19)

• Values Sheet (page 20)

• Importance and Confidence Ruler (page 21)

GO!

Here’s how to set up your first conversation:

• Call or introduce yourself to the church member

you have been assigned.

• Identify yourself as a Peer Counselor from your

church.

• Find out if the person prefers to talk on the phone

or meet in person.

• Schedule a time that works for both of you.

Tips

• Take notes during the conversation. This will

help you keep track of key points.

• Meet with other Peer Counselors regularly for

ideas and support. Feel free to talk about how you

are handling different situations. But don’t reveal

the names of the people you counsel.

• Remember: Reflections will get easier. They don’t

have to be perfect.

• Enjoy being a Peer Counselor. Having the

opportunity to reach out and help others is a

blessing, for them and for you.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 1 6
The following pages contain tools that will help you

as a Peer Counselor. An explanation of each tool

appears below.

PEER COUNSELING ROADMAP . . . . . . . . . 18

The roadmap summarizes each part of the peer

counseling conversation. Use it to check off each

step as you cover it and to check if you have missed

any key points. Remember: Each discussion will be

different. You don’t need to follow the specific order

of the roadmap.

STARTERS FOR OPEN QUESTIONS

AND REFLECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

The starters are ways to begin an open question

or a reflection. There is room for you to add other

starters that have worked well for you.

VALUES SHEET. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

The sheet helps you guide the conversation about

values. Church members get a sheet when they

sign up for peer counseling. If they have misplaced

their sheet, show them your copy, or read the values

to them.

IMPORTANCE AND CONFIDENCE RULER . . . . . . 21

The ruler helps the person think about importance

and confidence.

SELF-ASSESSMENT FORM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

The form is useful for identifying areas that you

should practice.

Peer Counselor Tools

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 1 7
Use the roadmap as a guide to the main points of the peer counseling conversation. Each conversation will take

its owns path, so you may not follow the roadmap exactly. For example, you might talk about values, importance,

and confidence in a different order.

Make Contact/Arrange Meeting

• Introduce yourself as a Peer Counselor from your church.

• Say that you understand the person has signed up to talk with a Peer Counselor.

• Ask if the person still wants to talk. If so, set a time and place for the meeting or call.

Talk about Fruits and Vegetables

• Ask why the person signed up for peer counseling.

• Listen and reflect.

• Ask about how many fruits and vegetables the person eats every day.

• Ask them what they like (or dislike) about fruits and vegetables.

• Ask if the person knows the amount of fruits and vegetables he/she should eat. If not, ask if the person

would like to know the recommendation.

• Listen and reflect.

Talk about Values

• Explain that making a lifestyle change is easier if the change is tied to one’s values.

• Ask what the person’s top 3 values are and what they mean to the person.

• Listen and reflect.

• Ask what connection, if any, the person sees between these values and eating more fruits and vegetables.

• Reflect on the connection or lack of connection.

Rate Importance and Confidence

• Ask the person to rate the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables on a scale of 0 to 10.

• Ask why the person chose and not a lower number, like a 1 or a 2.

• Listen and reflect.

• Ask what it would take to move this number a little higher.

• Listen and reflect.

• Ask similar questions about confidence. Listen and reflect.

Create Action Plan/Summarize/Close

• Ask if the person has some ideas for ways to eat more fruits and vegetables.

• Listen and reflect.

• If not, with permission, suggest some ideas and ways to get more information.

• Ask if any of these ideas might work for them.

• Listen and reflect.

• Summarize the key parts of the conversation.

• Ask if it would be okay to call the person in about 2 weeks.

• End the conversation.

Peer Counseling Roadmap

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 18
Starters for Open Questions and Reflections

Refer to this sheet whenever you need ideas for how to start open questions and reflections.

OPEN QUESTIONS

Tell me about ... ?

To what extent ... ?

What else ... ?

Help me understand ... ?

What, if any ... ?

Row did you ... ?

REFLECTIONS

It sounds like ...

It has been hard for you ...

You’re feeling ...

You’re not sure ...

You have mixed feelings about ...

You’re thinking about ...

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 1 9
Values Sheets

Look at the values below. Mark the 3 that you feel are most important

to you in guiding the decisions you make in your life.

o Spirituality, to grow and mature spiritually

o Family, to have a happy, loving family

o God’s will, to follow God’s plan for me

o Good Christian, to follow the teachings of the Bible

o Health, to be physically well

o Responsible, to do what I said I would do

o Disciplined, to do what is right

o Independent, to be able to meet my own needs

o Considerate, to be thoughtful of others

o Honesty, to be truthful in all areas of my life

o Inner peace, to feel a sense of quiet/calmness within me

o Friendship, to be a good friend and have close, supportive friends

o Helpfulness, to reach out to others

o Loving, to give and receive love

o Hopeful, to remain positive in my view of the world

o Other

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 2 0
Importance and Confidence Ruler

Use these rulers to help the people you counsel rate their motivation.

Importance

How important is it to you to eat more fruits and vegetables? On a scale of 0 to 10, with

0 being not important at all, and 10 being very important, where would you place yourself?

NOT SOME

AT ALL WHAT VERY

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Confidence

How confident are you that you could eat more fruits and vegetables if you decided to?

On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being not confident at all, and 10 being very confident,

where would you place yourself?

NOT SOME

AT ALL WHAT VERY

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 2 1
Self-Assessment Form

This form will help you identify skills that you should practice.

Instructions

To use this self-assessment:

• Tape yourself while practicing the Peer Counselor conversation with another Peer Counselor.

• Listen to the tape. As you listen, place checkmarks in the boxes below.

Place a checkmark in the box every time you:

1. Ask an open question 4. Reflect with an upturn

2. Ask a closed question 5. Offer unsolicited advice

3. Make a reflection Notes:

Scoring

Give yourself 1 point for every checkmark in boxes 1 and 3. Take away 1 point for every checkmark in boxes

2, 4, and 5.

Self-Assessment

1. You should ask more open questions than closed ones.

2. You should be asking very few closed questions. If you asked closed questions, how could you have

made them open?

3. Reflect with confidence. You should have more reflections than questions. If you asked many

questions, go back and look for places where you could have reflected. Did you reflect deeper feelings

and emotions? Look for places where your reflections could have gone deeper.

4. If you reflected with an upturn, practice making statements, not asking questions.

5. Avoid offering unsolicited advice, telling people how you would handle a situation, or giving your opinion.

If you offered advice, what could you have done differently?

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 2 2
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalms 34:4

Frequently Asked Questions

about Being a Peer Counselor

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF

THE BODY & SOUL PROGRAM?

The program’s immediate goal is to help church

members make healthier eating choices. In time, the

program may also address other health issues that

church members care about, such as being more

physically active.

WHO DO I TALK TO?

Church members, sign up to receive peer counseling.

The Peer Counseling Coordinator will tell you who

to contact. As more people from, your church sign

up, the coordinator will give you more names of

people to contact. You and the Peer Counseling

Coordinator will decide together how many people

you counsel.

WHERE DO I TALK WITH THE PEOPLE I COUNSEL?

You can talk with them over the phone or in person

— whichever is most comfortable and convenient for

both of you.

HOW MUCH TIME DOES PEER COUNSELING TAKE?

The first discussion takes about 20 minutes. The

follow-up conversations are usually shorter.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT BEING A PEER COUNSELOR?

Peer Counselors use special communication skills

that help people discover their own reasons for eating

more fruits and vegetables. Your church selected

you because you already have good listening and

communication skills and enjoy helping others. The

training movie and this handbook will help you learn

these communication skills.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES?

You don’t need to be an expert. Just become familiar

with the information about fruits and vegetables in

the Resources section of this handbook (pages 24-30).

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF PEOPLE HAVE

MEDICAL CONCERNS?

Don’t give medical advice. Instead, say, “I suggest

you speak to your doctor about that. I’m not qualified

to give that kind of information.”

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A PERSON

HAS OTHER SERIOUS PROBLEMS?

Ask their permission to give their name to the Peer

Counseling Coordinator, who can put them in touch

with resources in the church or community. Even if

they don’t want you to use their name, you can still

discuss their situation with the coordinator or pastor.

Just don’t reveal who they are.

DO I NEED TO EAT MORE FRUITS AND

VEGETABLES?

Everyone should eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and

vegetables. It will also make you more credible and

comfortable as a Peer Counselor.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A PERSON DOESN’T WANT

TO EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES?

Use open questions and reflections to find out why

they asked to receive peer counseling. If they aren’t

interested at this time, that’s okay. Your conversation

may lead them to become interested in the future.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A PERSON DOESN’T OPEN

UP OR DOESN’T SHARE MUCH INFORMATION?

Give them a few extra seconds of silence before you

respond. This will ensure that you haven’t cut off their

reply. Some people are private or quiet by nature. Or

they may need more time to think before they speak.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 2 3
BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 2 4

The Good News About

Fruits & Vegetables

The National Cancer Institute recommends eating a

healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables every day.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables every day is an

important part of a healthy, active lifestyle. It promotes

good health and may help lower the chances of getting

high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease,

and some types of cancer. African, Americans have very

high rates of, these diseases and get them earlier in

life. They also suffer more serious health problems and

die at an earlier age from these diseases. Most African

Americans eat less than half of the daily amount of

fruits and vegetables recommended for good health.

Everyone has the power to make choices to improve

their health. The good news is that eating more fruits

and vegetables is one of the easiest things you can do

to get started.

This section has information about:

• why eating fruit and vegetables is important for

good health.

• the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended.

• easy ways to eat more fruits and vegetables.
Why eating fruits and vegetables

is important for children

IT ALL BEGINS IN CHILDHOOD

African American youth have the highest rates of

overweight and obesity among all children. Type 2

diabetes is also going up at alarming rates among

African American children. Eating habits that affect

a child’s risk for these problems begin in childhood.

Healthy eating in childhood, and into the adult years,

can help lower their chances for diseases later in life.

These diseases include obesity, overweight, diabetes,

heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. Most

African American kids eat less than half of the amount

of fruits and vegetables recommended for good

health.

GOOD HABITS LAST A LIFETIME

It’s important for us to help kids develop good habits

they can carry into their adult lives. Eating more fruits

and vegetables when they are young will make it easier for them to eat more fruits and vegetables as they

grow older.

NUTRIENTS TO GROW HEALTHY AND STRONG

Fruits and vegetables give children many of the nutrients they need to grow healthfully. Eating enough fruits

and vegetables also helps kids develop strong muscles,

bones, and teeth.
Why eating fruits and vegetables

is important for adults

HELP MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT

When combined with an active lifestyle, eating a healthy

diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help you manage,

your weight. Most are low in calories and fat. And many

have lots of water and fiber to help you feel full.

You can eat fewer calories and still satisfy your appetite

by eating larger portions of fruits and vegetables at

meals. Eat fruits and vegetables raw or steamed and use

very small amounts of added sauces, butters, or oils.

LOWER YOUR CHANCES

FOR SOME CANCERS

People who eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables

every day have a lower chance of getting cancer

of the lung, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach,

colon, and rectum. They are also less likely to get

breast, pancreas, larynx, and bladder cancer.

LOWER YOUR CHANCES

FOR HEART DISEASE & STROKE

Heart-healthy diets include 4 to 5 cups of fruits and

vegetables every day. They are low in saturated fat and

cholesterol. They also include low-fat dairy foods and

whole grains. Such diets can greatly lower blood pressure and cholesterol and lower the chances of heart

disease. Recent studies also report that diets rich in

fruits and vegetables may help lower the chances for

having a stroke.

REDUCE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

In the DASH study (Dietary Approaches to Stop

Hypertension), people with high blood pressure followed a special eating plan. These people saw their

blood pressure go down after only one month. The

plan included 4 to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables

every day and 2 to 3 servings of low-fat dairy foods.

The DASH eating plan is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. The plan allows only very small amounts of

red meat, sweets, and sugar-containing drinks. It also

includes moderate amounts of whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts.

People in the DASH study with the lowest sodium

intake had the biggest fall in blood pressure. Too much

sodium causes blood pressure to rise. Potassium counteracts the effect of sodium on blood pressure. Yet,

African Americans get only half their potassium needs.

Fruits and vegetables are naturally high in potassium

and low in sodium.

LOWER YOUR

CHANCES FOR DIABETES

Obesity and diet are strong risk factors for developing

Type 2 diabetes. So it is important to be at a healthy

weight. Get enough exercise and eat a healthy diet

rich in fruits and vegetables every day.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 2 6
What’s in fruits and vegetables?

Fruits and vegetables are a great source of many

vitamins, minerals, and fiber the body needs. They are

also packed with hundreds of naturally occurring substances called phytochemicals that may help protect

against many diseases. And fruits and vegetables are

low in fat and calories.

Vitamins

Fruits and vegetables provide many important

vitamins, like vitamin A and vitamin C. There are

about 20 vitamins needed for life, each with a very

important job. Some vitamins help the body produce

energy. Others help keep skin healthy. The best way

to get vitamins is to eat the fruits and vegetables

that contain them.

Minerals

Fruits and vegetables provide many important

minerals, like potassium and magnesium. The body

needs minerals to do many things. For example,

magnesium helps the body maintain healthy bones

and potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure.

Fiber

Most fruits and vegetables are a good source of fiber.

One type of fiber can help lower cholesterol. It also

slows down digestion so that the body can absorb

more nutrients and better control blood sugar levels.

Another Type of fiber helps you get rid of waste and

keeps you regular.

Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals (fight-o-chemicals) are naturally

occurring substances in fruits and vegetables.

Phytochemicals may help fight to protect your health.

Fruits and vegetables have hundreds of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals work together with vitamins and

minerals to promote good health.

Here are just a few examples of the phytochemicals

found in fruits and vegetables:

• Carotenoids in red and yellow-orange fruits

and vegetables (such as tomatoes, sweet

potatoes, carrots)

• Lycopene in tomato-based foods

(such as tomato sauce, tomato paste)

• Lutein and zeaxanthin in leafy greens (such as

collard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce)

• Flavanoids in brightly colored fruits and vegetables

(such as blueberries, cherries, strawberries)

The vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals in

fruits and vegetables combine for a health-protecting

and disease fighting effect that you can’t get from

vitamin pills. Only a variety of fruits and vegetables

give you all of these nutrients together.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 27
The colors of health

Fruits and vegetables come in a rainbow of colors. Each color is a sign of different important nutrients. You can

benefit from eating fruits and vegetables of different colors regularly. These include green, yellow-orange, red,

blue-purple, and white.

This chart shows the 5 color groups and gives some examples of fruits and vegetables from each.

green Leafy greens (collard, mustard, and turnip greens, swiss

chard, kale, spinach and lettuces), asparagus, green peppers, broccoli,

green beans, peas, green cabbage, green onion, brussels sprouts, okra,

zucchini, chinese cabbage (napa/bok choy), green apples, green grapes,

honeydew melon, kiwifruit, limes

yellow-orange Carrots, summer squash, corn,

sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin, yellow peppers, rutabagas,

cantaloupe, grapefruit, lemons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pineapples,

tangerines, apricots, mangoes, papayas

red Tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, tomato soup, red

peppers, red onions, beets, red cabbage, kidney beans, apples, pink

grapefruit, red grapes, strawberries, cherries, watermelon, raspberries,

cranberries, pomegranates

blue-purple Eggplant, purple

grapes, plums, raisins, blueberries, blackberries,

purple figs, dried plums, black currants

white Cauliflower, mushrooms, white beans, onions, garlic,

parsnips, shallots, turnips, ginger, jicama, bananas, pears

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 2 8
How many cups of fruits and

vegetables do you need each day?

Everybody needs to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. But most adults need to eat more

than children. And men need even more than women.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR'S HANDBOOK 2 9
It’s easy to eat your

fruits and vegetables

Eating your fruits and vegetables is a lot easier than you might think. One cup-equivalent of most fruits and

vegetables is the amount that would fit in a measuring cup if chopped, or about 2 handfuls. The exceptions are

raw leafy greens (2 cups count as 1 cup) or dried fruit (1/2 cup counts as 1 cup).

For example, a 35 year-old fairly active woman would

need 4 1/2. cups per day. The chart below shows what

4 1/2 cups might look like.

Fruits and vegetables are only one component of a

healthy diet. In, addition to fruits and vegetables, a healthy

diet also includes whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk

products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. It is

also low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and

added sugars.

The following examples count as 1 cup:

1 small apple

1 large banana

2 medium cantaloupe wedges

1 medium grapefruit

1 large orange

1 large peach

1 medium pear

2 large or 3 small plums

8 large strawberries

1 small watermelon wedge

2 small boxes of raisins or other dried, fruit

3 spears of broccoli

1 cup of cooked greens or 2 cups raw

(spinach, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens)

2 medium carrots or 12 baby carrots

1 large sweet potato

1 large ear of corn

1 medium potato

2 large stalks of celery

1 large bell pepper

1 large tomato

1/2 can of beans

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 30
Acknowledgements

developed to support Body & Soul: A Celebration

of Healthy Eating & Living.

The guide was developed. at the University of North

Carolina-Chapel Hill by:

The Peer Counseling Coordinator’s Guide was NCI would like to acknowledge the contributions of:

• Porter Novelli, Washington, D.C.

• Riffenburgh and Associates, Albuquerque, NM

Suggested citation: Body & Soul Peer Counselor

Training. National Cancer Institute (2006).

• Marci Kramish Campbell, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Bethesda, MD

Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health

and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer

Center

• Carol Carr, MA, Project Manager, UNC Lineberger

Comprehensive Cancer Center

With:

• Ken Resnicow, Ph.D., University of Michigan

Comprehensive Cancer Center and School of

Public Health

• Lorelei DiSogra, Ed.D., R.D.

• Alexis Williams, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 3 1
For more information on Body & Soul

or to download this handbook visit

www.BodyandSoul.nih.gov

To reorder this publication contact:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Cancer Information Service (CIS)

1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

www.cancer.gov

NCI offers accurate, up-to-date information on

cancer for you and your family. Call the CIS to

talk to an information specialist who can answer

questions you or someone in your family might have

Or go to LiveHelp on NCl’s Website to chat online

with an information specialist. NCI can also help

connect you with a support organization in your

area. NCI offers many materials in both English and

Spanish. People who are deaf may call a special TTY

line at 1-800-332-8615.

BODY & SOUL: PEER COUNSELOR’S HANDBOOK 32
NIH Publication No. 06-6068

Printed September 2006