Profile: This is developed by answering a series of questions. The profile helps all our members become aware of others with similar interests.
Introductory Message: You may select an introductory message from several multiple choices or develop one yourself. Using a pre-written introduction helps to alleviate the anxiety of coming up with just the right words on your own.
Message: Templates help you structure dialog by suggesting possible topics of conversation and guiding you systematically through appropriate exchanges of communication. Video modeling clips are incorporated in the templates.
On Your Own: This template no longer utilizes structured communication. You will decide when you are ready to draft messages on your own. You will be directed back to the templates for guidance and support if needed.
Real-time: This is a planning guide for use prior to an instant message or telephone conversation. These modes of communication require spontaneity and stronger reciprocal communication skills. This outline will assist you in planning topics of discussion, appropriate spontaneous comments and vocal considerations when applicable.
Out on the Town: This is a guide that assists in planning an outing with a friend or a date. You will be coached in considering the types of places that would be most conducive for a successful encounter as well as tips on body language and other important considerations.
Now What? This planning guide will help you consider the important question of “Where do we go from here?” In addition to coaching on specific issues, other resources will be suggested for your consideration.
Opt-out Option If you wish to discontinue communication with a person at any time, you may choose this option which will provide several choices of pre-written statements you may select or you may draft your own.
We encourage you to communicate with one person at a time and to complete ALL the templates in order to practice reciprocal communication skills before ending your dialog with an individual. Exceptions to this recommendation would include vulgar language or inappropriate comments on the part of the other person.
It is typically easier and less threatening to communicate with a person of the same sex. We suggest that you go through the templates first with the idea of establishing friendship. The more you practice the skills that are embedded in the templates, the more comfortable you will become with the process of reciprocal communication. Using the templates over and over to communicate with several friends, one at a time, will provide you with optimal benefit before moving toward the initiation of a dating relationship
As you continue to use the templates to communicate with different individuals, we encourage you to expand your thoughts and share different perspectives each time rather than simply repeating the same information with everyone.
If you talk with 4 different people about your interest in reading, you might want to share information about 4 different books, rather than telling them all about the same book. If vacations are the topic, you could tell one person about the travel involved, another person about your favorite activity during your trip and another person about the scenery or an unusual event that took place. This will help you to become more flexible in your communication.
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