Introduction – Counselling Skills

Once again, the grey-zone is Art & Science. HCPs with limited knowledge but excellent counselling skills are more helpful for FS grey-zone clients than those who have memorized an encyclopedia but cannot connect personally.

Most HCPs put pressure on themselves to solve their clients’ problems. When HCPs do not have easy solutions, they may feel:

Guilty – “The client has paid me, and I must provide a good service.”
Insecure – “I don’t have the answers to make my client feel better. People may stop booking appointments with me, or doctors will stop referring.”
Frustrated – “Why can’t I figure this out?”

Our responsibility is to provide support and evidence-based information to the best of our ability. If you assist your client toward a better quality of life (even though you have not fixed them), you have done your job!