Similarly, health visitors are in a good position to provide counselling regarding the immunization and health of the infant.
Midwives, for example, are usually the first port of call for those parents who have experienced miscarriages and bereavements, or are coping with decisions involving the potential for genetic abnormalities.
Community nurses often find themselves in situations which require in-depth listening and responding skills: for example, in helping people come to terms with chronic illness, disability and bereavement. The emphasis on care in the community and empowerment of patients through consumer involvement means that nurses are engaged in providing support and help to people in order to change behaviours. There is a great deal of scope in using counselling skills to promote health in the everyday encounters that nurses have with their patients. COUNSELLING SKILLS FOR NURSES, MIDWIVES AND HEALTH VISITORSĬounselling Skills for Nurses, Midwives and Health VisitorsĬounselling is a diverse activity and there are an increasing number of people who find themselves using counselling skills, not least those in the caring professions.
