Counselling Skills for Dietitians

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.