What?
For counseling assignment, I met with my client who wanted to learn about healthy eating and energy boost. My two goals for this first counseling project were being an active listener and empower my client. I met with my client two times in her office. I did a nutrition assessment in our first meeting and in the second meeting; I advised my client on her goals. She was a young client who came to the session with no clear nutrition goals. However, by the end of our assessment session, she identified three clear and achievable goals, which I found this to be the goldstone of my counselling experience.
So What?
I feel that building rapport and trust was the most significant element of a successful counseling session to help my client achieve her goals. Before meeting with my client, I was nervous about our session because it was a world of unknown. However, I went into the session with an open mind, use the techniques I had learned in class, and let things fall into place naturally. It worked! I could open up the session, helped my client to see her dietary strengths and finally gave her few resources to use for future. In this counselling assignment I accomplished both my goals to understand my client and give her confident she needed.
Now What?
Learning effective communication skills will remain my main goal for FNH 480 and other learning venues in Dietetics. I will aim to improve my counseling skills such as motivational interviewing to create a proper and safe environment for my clients to discuss their concerns. I understand this is just the beginning and clients come with different perspectives, knowledge levels, and attitudes. I look forward to seeing what challenges or opportunities are a head.