Though it has a tortuous name, this class has unexpectedly good materials that went along with it.
One of the things we went over (and over and over) was DEAR MAN (GIVE FAST), an acronym covering the steps you should use when trying to get your point across to someone, or convince or ask them to do something for you. While the things stated are generally obvious, I find it helpful to have them stated clearly and precisely. I find it PARTICULARLY help if I'm becoming emotional, because it's much more difficult to communicate effectively or clearly when you're emotional, and I find that simply reading over each step is enough to disipate any anger I have (because there are only two rational choices: things can be acted upon (in which case DEAR MAN helps you effectively do that), or they're out of your control (so the only thing you can do is quickly realize that, and move on to dealing with the situation as-is)).
DBT resources out there:
This allows you to replicate 90+% of what you get from traditional therapy (which normally costs $75-100+/hr), for FREE. What a bargain! On top of that, it helps you better understand the purpose of therapy, and especially helps you understand the process from your therapist's point of view.
The biggest issue IMHO is that most people don't really understand what therapy is, how it works, what it's supposed to do for you, how you're supposed to act during it, etc. But if you're able to find someone who's willing, and you're able to clearly explain therapy's purpose, you could be on your way to essentially free therapy, and you can help someone else out at the same time.
(The 10% that professional therapy provides that can't be replicated in peer counseling is real medical psychiatric advice. But that's okay... I find that my psychiatrist provides this already, and I don't have a need to see him very often, compared with the frequency that I find therapy to be useful/illuminating)