Read the following case study and answer the questions that follow it.

My friend and I both struggle with our emotional problems. Lately, we have both worked on areas in our lives. She is trying to assert herself more, and I am to the point where I cannot take any more advice on how to run my life. I need to start thinking about what I want to be, not what everyone else tells me I should be. Unfortunately, these two areas have run into each other. She feels she needs to tell me how she feels about everything, including how I act. For example, she told me the other day that I should just say, “I can’t go with you today,” instead of giving a long explanation. She told me when I give a long explanation it seems that I am trying to make up an excuse and that I just don’t want to go with her. I told her I really couldn’t handle that kind of criticism right now, and she said “no problem.” Two days later, we got into it again when she got mad at me for something that wasn’t my fault. She still believes she should assert herself and tell me exactly what is on her mind, and I still cannot handle it right now. It’s a stalemate.

a. Regarding the S‐TLC system, do you think the parties tried to “stop”? According to the text reading, what could/should they have done? If you are good at doing this step, what advice can you give to others?

b. What do you think the parties probably did during the “thinking” step? According to the text reading, what could/should they have done? If you are good at doing this step, what advice can you give to others?

c. What techniques did the parties use during the “listening” step? According to the text reading, what could/should they have done? If you are good at doing this step, what advice can you give to others?

d. Did the parties try using I‐statements? According to the text reading, what could/

should they have done? If you are good at doing this step, what advice can you give to others?

e. In what ways could the narrator change her friend, the situation, or herself?