>What a wonderful word Jon Ahrendson has offered for empowering people. "Why?"
>is fairly nonthreatening.

Becky, I agree that "Why" works well for patient/client to health
professional. I would just like to add that it can be a disaster the other
way around. NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellors in their training are warned
never to use "Why" with mothers, as it can sound very threatening. It is
asking her to justify something she is doing and implies that the
Counsellor thinks what she is doing is wrong. So it is empowering only in
one direction.

Joy Anderson IBCLC NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia
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