1. Active Listening

Active listening is the cornerstone of any form of counseling, including friendship counseling. When your friend reaches out to you, focus on their words and emotions. Show that you're fully present by maintaining eye contact, nodding in acknowledgment, and responding with empathy. Avoid interrupting or offering unsolicited advice right away.

2. Create a Safe Space

Establish a safe and non-judgmental space for your friend to express themselves. Let them know that they can talk openly without fear of criticism. Your acceptance and understanding are vital in creating an environment where your friend feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.

3. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Encourage your friend to open up by asking open-ended questions. These questions require more than a simple "yes" or "no" response and allow them to delve deeper into their feelings and experiences. For example, instead of asking, "Are you feeling better?" you can ask, "How have you been coping with these feelings lately?"

4. Validate Their Feelings

Validation is a powerful tool in friendship counseling. Acknowledge your friend's emotions without judgment. Let them know that their feelings are real and important. Phrases like, "I can see that this is really affecting you," or "It's okay to feel that way," can go a long way in making your friend feel understood.

5. Offer Empathy

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes and feel what they're feeling. Express your understanding of your friend's emotions by saying things like, "I can't imagine how hard that must be for you" or "I'm here for you, and I care about what you're going through."

6. Avoid Judgments and Advice

While you may want to help, avoid making judgments or giving advice without your friend's request. Jumping to conclusions or offering solutions prematurely can feel dismissive. Instead, keep your focus on listening and supporting your friend's feelings and thoughts.

7. Respect Confidentiality

Respect your friend's trust by maintaining confidentiality. What they share with you should remain between the two of you unless they explicitly permit you to discuss it with others. This trust is the foundation of friendship counseling.

8. Encourage Self-Reflection

Help your friend explore their thoughts and feelings through self-reflection. You can ask questions that guide them in thinking more deeply about their situation, like "What do you think might help you feel better?" or "Have you considered talking to a professional about this?"

10. Offer Resources

While you're not a professional counselor, you can provide your friend with information about available resources. This may include suggesting self-help books, recommending counseling services, or guiding them to support groups or hotlines that can offer more specialized assistance.

11. Be Patient

Friendship counseling may take time, and your friend's path to healing or resolving their issues may not be straightforward. Be patient and offer your ongoing support. Let your friend know that you are there for them whenever they need to talk.

12. Self-Care

Remember that while you're supporting your friend, it's essential to take care of your own emotional well-being. Listening to someone else's challenges can be emotionally draining, so make sure you have your support system in place and practice self-care to manage your own feelings.

Conclusion

counselling for broken friendship is a beautiful way to strengthen and nurture the bonds of friendship. It's about being there for your friend when they need a listening ear, a caring heart, and understanding. While you may not have formal training as a counselor, your empathy, patience, and willingness to support your friend can make a significant difference in their life. By creating a safe and open space for them to share their feelings, you help them navigate their challenges and remind them that they are not alone in their journey.