Everyone Can Learn to Relate Better

I was trained to equip lay people by Dr. Richard Walters, Buzz for those who know him. His father was a famous MD Psychiatrist who was also an expert on Wesley. What a combination.

I was Providentially referred to Rich's seminar in Athens, Georgia by a fellow Christian student at U.C. when we were discussing dissertation topics. When I told him I was looking for a way to integrate psychology and theology he replied, "Come to my office. I just received a brochure about a seminar on Georgia that may fit your dissertation.

I read the brochure and quickly called to register. I spoke with Rich and discovered he was a Believer as well and we encouraged each other to live out our faith as counselors. In the seminar, Dr. Walters told of his research on the effectiveness of training lay persons to facilitate growth in others.

Amazingly, Rich and his professor, the respected researcher Dr. George Gazda, trained school teachers how to care more for their students more effectively. One group was taught how to interact with the core skills of Genuineness, Respect, Empathy and Warmth. A second group was lectured on using those skills but was not trained in their actual practice. The third group came together and played games.

The results were amazing. When the team looked at the grades of the school children in those three groups, the differences were graphic and stunning.

1. The students whose teachers were trained to actually use the skills of GREW improved their grade averages dramatically. 2. The grades of children whose teachers attended lectures on caring and 3. Those who gathered to play games improved not all all.

This was incredible. The teachers learned to listen and understand the kids and treat them with Warmth and Respect. They did not take more classes on English or Math or Science yet the students did better on those tests. Why? Because they understood better what the children needed and they responded better to them.

Want to learn how to help your family, friends or students grow and learn? Contact me at gary@sweetenlifelcom