Express warmth and empathy. Peer counseling creates a more informal relationship than that of a therapist and patient. Show that you care about the other person who is talking by nodding, smiling when appropriate, and making some expression of empathy.
Demonstrate that you are listening when the other person is talking by making eye contact. Avoid behaviors that suggest that you are not really listening, such as texting or playing with your cell phone.
Ask leading questions to prompt the other person to elaborate on their feelings. Such questions can include: "How did that make you feel?" or "What do you think about that?" You will be more helpful to the person being counseled, if you ask open-ended questions and allow them to come to their own decisions.
Restate the person's words back to them. For example, if they have anxiety over their exams, you can say, "I hear you saying that you are worried that you might not do well on your exams."