Counselling

MODULE 3: COUNSELLING

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this module the participants should be able to:

1. Define counselling

2. Describe counselling in an antenatal setting

3. Explain the fundamentals of the counselling role and relationship between the client and provider

4. Describe some of the key skills used in counselling

5. Discuss the application of counselling principles and skills to pre- and post-HIV test counselling

6. Discuss issues relating to self-care and well-being

7. Demonstrate counselling skills as applied to PMTCT services

Introduction

The counselling element of antenatal care presents a unique counselling situation, as the women have not attended primarily for counselling, but for antenatal care. In antenatal counselling, health providers are seeking to promote health choices, which optimize the health of both mother and child. Through information, education and communication (IEC) and counselling, women are provided with information and education and assisted in making choices, which result in behaviour and attitudes that are beneficial to the client.

Definition of counselling

There are many definitions of counselling. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), counselling is a therapeutic relationship between a counsellor and client designed to help a client reach their goals through well informed choices. Counselling gives the client an opportunity to explore, discover and clarify ways of living more resourcefully.

Counselling in an Antenatal Setting

Antenatal clients are faced with an array of decisions as they advance towards parenthood. It is vital to the success of a maternal and chills health that women and their partners are provided with accurate information to support these decisions. It must be presented in a way in which they can grasp and understand, in order to help them make important decisions and behavioural changes. Group education is the mainstay of providing...