Counseling is an interpersonal exchange in which a service provider and a client engage in a dialog about a health issue. Effective counseling is essential to ensuring quality of care in services. In their vital role as counselors, service providers educate clients about their options, support clients’ choices, and encourage clients to speak openly about their concerns and to ask questions.

They actively engage with clients to help solve any problems they may be experiencing. Clients play an equally important role in the counseling relationship by explaining their health situation and informing the service provider about their preferences and needs. An empowered clients asks questions, actively participates in problem-solving and method choice and provides feedback to the provider over time.

With effective counseling, clients feel empowered and are more likely to make better choices. Clients are also more likely to adhere to treatment, to use a contraceptive method correctly and consistently and to make positive health decisions.

We are pleased to present a selection of counseling materials from the Health COMpass. In this focus package you will find tools for creating counseling materials and for training counselors, as well as samples of project materials.

Introduction adapted from Global Health E-Learning Counseling.