Overview
Dietitians need to use advanced communication skills as well as technical expertise in order to assess clients' needs, identify their problems and help them to manage their diet and lifestyle. The ability to develop a helping relationship is fundamental to achieving a mutually satisfactory dietetic interview. Counselling skills, defined as advanced communication skills used intentionally in a helping relationship, are therefore essential for good dietetic practice at all levels of the profession.
This book demonstrates how a practitioner can develop a counselling approach and employ appropriate counselling skills to overcome the communication difficulties encountered by dietitians and those engaged in helping clients change their eating behaviour.
New material in the second edition includes an expanded section on the patient interview including assessing motivation and applying aspects of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and a new section on personal development including examples and discussion on issues of interprofessional communication and working in a multidisciplinary team.
The book contains no figures.
Synopsis
Dietitians need to use advanced communication skills as well as technical expertise in order to assess clients’ needs, identify their problems and help them to manage their diet and lifestyle. The ability to develop a helping relationship is fundamental to achieving a mutually satisfactory dietetic interview. Counselling skills, defined as advanced communication skills used intentionally in a helping relationship, are therefore essential for good dietetic practice at all levels of the profession.
This book demonstrates how a practitioner can develop a counselling approach and employ appropriate counselling skills to overcome the communication difficulties encountered by dietitians and those engaged in helping clients change their eating behaviour.
New material in the second edition includes an expanded section on the patient interview including assessing motivation and applying aspects of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and a new section on personal development including examples and discussion on issues of interprofessional communication and working in a multidisciplinary team.
Judith A. Halstead
This book describes counseling skills that can be used to promote effective communication between patients and dietitians. The purpose is to demonstrate how dietitians can develop and apply counseling skills in their interactions with patients to promote dietary changes. Specific communication problems that dietitians can encounter with patients and effective counseling approaches to these problems are identified. This book is specifically intended to help the dietitian develop counseling skills for use in patient interactions, but the author notes that these same skills can be applied in interactions with other clinicians, colleagues, and managers. The author is a London-based training consultant in personal development and management, a qualified dietitian, and accredited counselor. The book consists of four major units that describe the counseling approach and associated counseling skills; application of counseling skills, including cultural implications; and personal development issues for the dietitian. There are no illustrations and few tables. References are not extensively used, but when noted are predominately books and classic references from the last 30 to 40 years. Exercises are integrated throughout the text to help readers apply information to their professional and personal lives. Appendixes provide additional references for reading, lists of British addresses useful for patient counseling, and a copy of the British Association for Counseling Code of Ethics and Practice for Counseling Skills. This book is an easy-to-read, basic text identifying counseling skills and how to apply them to patient interactions. The communication skills described in this book are usefulin personal and professional interactions. Although specifically written for dietitians, the book would be useful for all healthcare professionals, especially students and those new to the role of patient educator.
Editorials
From the Publisher
'Provides an invaluable source of insight and practical guidance which will help those who are new to the profession to develop the skills which are so vital for effective practice. There is also plenty for the more experienced practitioner to reflect on.' - Jane Thomas, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition & Dietetics, King's College, London
'It is written in a clear, straightforward way yet what is said is quite profound.' - Janet Seller, Primary Care Counsellor and Supervisor
'These are great developments for the book. I found it all very relevant and the extra detail and practical examples make it especially helpful, particularly for students.' - Tamara Herrmann, Visiting Lecturer, King's College, London
'The author’s experience as both a dietitian and counsellor marry together well to give a book which rightly deserves a place within every dietetic department, to encourage experienced dietitians, as well as those newly qualified and in training, to embrace counselling skills as an integral part of their practice Laura Forrest, Community Specialist Dietitian, Nutrition Bulletin
Judith A. Halstead
This book describes counseling skills that can be used to promote effective communication between patients and dietitians. The purpose is to demonstrate how dietitians can develop and apply counseling skills in their interactions with patients to promote dietary changes. Specific communication problems that dietitians can encounter with patients and effective counseling approaches to these problems are identified. This book is specifically intended to help the dietitian develop counseling skills for use in patient interactions, but the author notes that these same skills can be applied in interactions with other clinicians, colleagues, and managers. The author is a London-based training consultant in personal development and management, a qualified dietitian, and accredited counselor. The book consists of four major units that describe the counseling approach and associated counseling skills; application of counseling skills, including cultural implications; and personal development issues for the dietitian. There are no illustrations and few tables. References are not extensively used, but when noted are predominately books and classic references from the last 30 to 40 years. Exercises are integrated throughout the text to help readers apply information to their professional and personal lives. Appendixes provide additional references for reading, lists of British addresses useful for patient counseling, and a copy of the British Association for Counseling Code of Ethics and Practice for Counseling Skills. This book is an easy-to-read, basic text identifying counseling skills and how to apply them to patient interactions. The communication skills described in this book are usefulin personal and professional interactions. Although specifically written for dietitians, the book would be useful for all healthcare professionals, especially students and those new to the role of patient educator.From The Critics
Reviewer: Judith A. Halstead, DNS, RN(University of Southern Indiana)Description: This book describes counseling skills that can be used to promote effective communication between patients and dietitians.
Purpose: The purpose is to demonstrate how dietitians can develop and apply counseling skills in their interactions with patients to promote dietary changes. Specific communication problems that dietitians can encounter with patients and effective counseling approaches to these problems are identified.
Audience: This book is specifically intended to help the dietitian develop counseling skills for use in patient interactions, but the author notes that these same skills can be applied in interactions with other clinicians, colleagues, and managers. The author is a London-based training consultant in personal development and management, a qualified dietitian, and accredited counselor.
Features: The book consists of four major units that describe the counseling approach and associated counseling skills; application of counseling skills, including cultural implications; and personal development issues for the dietitian. There are no illustrations and few tables. References are not extensively used, but when noted are predominately books and classic references from the last 30 to 40 years. Exercises are integrated throughout the text to help readers apply information to their professional and personal lives. Appendixes provide additional references for reading, lists of British addresses useful for patient counseling, and a copy of the British Association for Counseling Code of Ethics and Practice for Counseling Skills.
Assessment: This book is an easy-to-read, basic text identifying counseling skills and how to apply them to patient interactions. The communication skills described in this book are useful in personal and professional interactions. Although specifically written for dietitians, the book would be useful for all healthcare professionals, especially students and those new to the role of patient educator.
4 Stars! from Doody