I have learned so much about how to treat others since I have been a
counselor. It takes more than just learning counseling techniques from a
book. I believe you need to have alot of compassion already built in. Just
because you have a title behind your name, doesn't mean that you are a
positve, compassionate role model. Even if I have a very busy day and see
several women. I try to treat each of those women as if they are very
important and that they matter. I do this because I have had both kinds, of
treatment from doctors, nurses, counselors, teachers, etc, etc,.
Their concerns are important to them and you need to make sure that you feel
that same. I try to look at them while they are talking instead of looking
down at my chart and writing things down. Sometimes I have been known to
pat them, put my arms around them, touch a hand. I try to get a feel for
the person, and usually have a good intuition about them. How does this
person want me to approach them, how do they feel about their space, their
privacy. Sometimes, if I feel that there is something that is bothering
them--they are upset. I can ask light questions and make light conversation
so that they feel they can trust me enough to open up. Most of the time
they do.
I try to treat clients the way that I would like to be treated. I believe
that a mothering approach is best also. If I have a mom who has just had a
baby come in and she is feeling very unsure about things. I try to assure
her the way that mother would. I look her in the eye and tell her that by
what she is telling me, everything seems to be okay. If I feel that there
is a problem, I try to suggest that she see a doctor, IBCLC, etc. in a way
that will not be threatening to her.
Carrie
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.
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