By: Millie Knight
Connecting with participants individually outside of meetings can be a transformative and empowering approach to fostering healing. When you take the time to engage with individuals on a personal level, you create a safe space for them to open up, share their experiences, and receive the support they need. One-on-one interactions offer an opportunity to go deeper into their journey, understand their progress, and offer specific encouragement to help them overcome challenges. In this blog, we’ll explore the three key questions that can guide your conversations effectively and address what’s truly going on.
1. “How’s it going?”
This simple yet powerful question serves as a gentle opener. It allows participants to share their current challenges without feeling overwhelmed. By asking this question, you invite them to outline situational details and provide an overview of their experiences. This step is crucial as it sets the stage for deeper discussions and helps build rapport and trust.
It’s essential to listen actively during this phase. Pay attention to their emotions, struggles, and achievements. Demonstrating empathy and understanding will make them feel valued and supported.
2. “What are you doing/have you been doing and how is that going…?”
As a follow-up to the first question, this aims to explore the steps participants have taken to improve their situation. By understanding their actions, you gain insights into their commitment to healing and their level of engagement with the process. Moreover, it allows you to celebrate their progress and achievements.
Encouraging participants to discuss their actions and outcomes also helps in identifying potential areas of growth. If they have encountered obstacles, this question gives them a chance to express their challenges, and together, you can brainstorm strategies to overcome them.
3. “How are you feeling?”
This is the heart of the matter – understanding participants’ emotions and experiences. However, diving straight into this question at the beginning can be overwhelming. By establishing a foundation through the first two questions, you create a space where individuals feel comfortable sharing their emotions.
As they open up about their feelings, you can offer specific encouragement and support. Relating their emotions to the topics discussed during the meetings can be insightful, as it helps participants recognize and address underlying issues.
One significant advantage of asking these questions in order is the ability to connect their emotional responses to the curriculum. You can guide them back to relevant discussions or tools from previous sessions, enabling a more comprehensive healing process.
Connecting with participants individually outside of meetings is a powerful way to facilitate healing and growth. By asking the right questions in a structured manner, you create a supportive environment for participants to share their challenges, progress, and emotions. The journey of healing is not without its hurdles, but with compassionate guidance and personalized attention, you can help participants navigate their way to a better place.
Remember the significance of active listening and empathy throughout these conversations. By cultivating a safe and non-judgmental space, you empower participants to embrace vulnerability and find the strength to heal and grow.It’s all about the connections you build and the impact you make, one individual at a time.
