But I'm not a counselor," you think to yourself, "I'm just a friend.

We can help others, says Everett Worthington. In fact, most counseling today is done friend to friend. This book looks at five of the most common problems we or our friends are likely to face-problems with self-esteem, self-control, fear, depression and loneliness. Sometimes they are longstanding problems. Sometimes, as with Marge, it is a crisis

Worthington tells how we can help people caught in their pain to rethink their problem, get at its root and then tackle it constructively. As friends we stand beside them and help them plan new ways to change their habits, their thoughts, their relationships or even their character

Worthington's first book, When Someone Asks for Help, offers general principles for counseling others. This book gives step-by step suggestions for specific problem areas. Its clear directives and actual conversations can help us lead our friends into renewed wholeness and a fresh experience of God's care

Everett L. Worthington, Jr. (Ph.D., University of Missouri), is an associate professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University and clinical supervisor for several counseling services in Richmond. He has written extensively and conducted numerous workshops on Christian counseling for pastors and churches.