Counseling Techniques & Ethical Practice Flashcards

Which response best demonstrates **active listening** during a lactation counseling session?

Answer: "I understand you feel frustrated. So, you're saying the baby latches but then lets go?"

Active listening involves fully concentrating on what the client is saying, both verbally and non-verbally, and then reflecting back understanding. This response demonstrates empathy by acknowledging the client's feeling and then clarifying their statement. This helps the client feel heard and understood, fostering trust and encouraging further communication.

Motivational Interviewing primarily helps parents by:

Answer: Exploring ambivalence and fostering self‑efficacy

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered counseling style designed to help individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about change. It focuses on eliciting and strengthening a person's intrinsic motivation for change, rather than imposing it. By fostering self-efficacy, MI empowers parents to believe in their ability to make positive changes regarding their feeding goals.

When setting feeding goals, which method ensures they are clear and achievable?

Answer: SMART framework

The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is a highly effective method for setting clear and achievable goals. Applying this framework to feeding goals ensures they are well-defined, progress can be tracked, they are realistic for the parent, align with their overall health objectives, and have a clear timeline. This structure increases the likelihood of successful goal attainment.

Which is an **open‑ended** question appropriate for assessing breastfeeding challenges?

Answer: "Can you describe what feeding has been like for you so far?"

An open-ended question encourages a detailed and expansive response, allowing the client to provide rich information in their own words. Unlike 'yes/no' or short-answer questions, this question invites the parent to share their full experience, feelings, and observations about feeding. This approach helps the counselor gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths from the client's perspective.

A counselor says, "Many parents find the first weeks challenging." This is an example of:

Answer: Normalizing

Normalizing is a therapeutic technique where a counselor reassures a client that their feelings, experiences, or challenges are common and understandable, rather than unique or abnormal. By stating, 'Many parents find the first weeks challenging,' the counselor validates the parent's experience and reduces feelings of isolation or inadequacy. This helps to build rapport and reduce distress.

Which non‑verbal cue from a counselor most effectively conveys empathy?

Answer: Leaning slightly forward and nodding

Non-verbal cues play a significant role in conveying empathy and active listening. Leaning slightly forward signals engagement and interest, while nodding indicates attentiveness and understanding. These behaviors communicate to the client that the counselor is fully present, listening carefully, and receptive to their message, fostering a sense of connection and trust.

The **teach‑back** technique is used to:

Answer: Confirm parent comprehension of instructions

The teach-back technique is a communication strategy used to ensure that a client understands the information or instructions provided by the healthcare professional. Instead of simply asking, 'Do you understand?', the counselor asks the client to explain in their own words what they need to do or what they've learned. This allows the counselor to identify any misunderstandings and clarify information effectively.

Cultural humility in lactation counseling involves:

Answer: Self‑reflection and respectful inquiry about beliefs

Cultural humility is an approach that involves a lifelong commitment to self-reflection and self-critique regarding one's own biases and assumptions. In lactation counseling, it means actively engaging with parents to understand their unique cultural beliefs, values, and practices related to feeding, rather than making assumptions. This respectful inquiry fosters trust and allows for culturally sensitive care.

When encountering resistance to advice, an effective counselor should first:

Answer: Explore the parent's concerns and perspective

When encountering resistance, an effective counselor avoids confrontation and instead seeks to understand the underlying reasons for the resistance. Exploring the parent's concerns, fears, or alternative perspectives demonstrates empathy and respect. This approach helps to build rapport, identify barriers, and collaboratively find solutions that align with the parent's values and readiness for change.