Counseling makes a difference.

Abstract

Counseling is one of the most important tasks of family planning providers and seeing that good counseling takes place is an important responsibility of program management. Training a staff is vital but more can be done. Honest information on family planning methods can be offered through every communication medium. Then people can be well-informed before they meet with the provider. Even programs short of staff facilities and supplies can take important steps from arranging a private space for counseling to supplying workers with checklists to use during counseling. Furthermore managers who sincerely respect and care about clients can act as role models to their staffs. Commitment to good counseling at all levels will yield more satisfied clients and more effective family planning. Issues that need to be considered by family counselors include increased initial contraception; budget; clinic environment; staff; community-based distribution programs; elements of good counseling and the counseling process; commerical distribution of contraceptives including training for pharmacists and shopkeepers; the differences between providers and clients; counseling styles; counseling the continuing client; helping clients to remember how to use family planning; the role of counseling in informed consent and informed choice; counseling on sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS; and counseling adolescents.