I know you aren't a therapist and these sites are geared towards nurses/therapists but anyone can use them, it just techniques to be in a helping role for someone. Check out what not to do too, that might actually be more important

http://www.ehow.com/way_5240883_exam...nications.html
this one's pretty good too to start with

http://www.austincc.edu/richb/thercom.html this one is brief but gives examples so you'll get the general idea