**7. Process of counselling**

Counselling in HIV/AIDS is a core element of the holistic approach to health care. During the process of counselling psychological aspects are recognised. Counselling enables frank discussion of sensitive issues in the client's life. People may suffer from great psychosocial and psychological stresses through a fear of rejection, disease progression, social stigma and the uncertainties associated with future.

Laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection for evidence of the specific antibody or HIV is a serious step in the life of an individual; it should be accompanied by an interview/counselling session before and after the examination. And this is especially important by diagnose of children.

In Kenya, VTC (Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centres) were created for free diagnosis and advice across the whole country. They provide services for all residents by professionally trained counsellors. The counsellors discuss a lot of psychosocial issues which people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS face in their everyday life.

Probably the most important service being offered to people living with AIDS is counselling. This is carried out by individuals and by groups. The common objectives of counselling are firstly to win the confidence of people with AIDS, so that they return for continued help. Then, people have to be helped to grow and develop, so that they can decide what they want and live valuable lives regardless of their HIV status. People who have been tested must be helped to get through the initial period of crisis. Infected people must be shown how to keep from spreading AIDS and how to take preventive steps. They must be encouraged to talk with their family members. (Shorter & Onyancha, 1998)

Because we have no cure for HIV/AIDS, we have to focus our interventions on caring for the physical as well as the psychological welfare of the HIV positive individual and his or her significant others. The aims of counselling should always be based on the needs of the client. The purpose of counselling could be as follows:

• *Focus on self-development* **-** reflects the natural self-centeredness. Individual focuses on his or her own person and on their own emotions. He tries to reduce uncomfortable tension by using of the escape mechanisms - escape into fantasy, to the memories and

• *Focus on your problem* **-** involves efforts to influence the environment and to change it. An individual seeks adequate information, to reformulate and redefine the problem and

Choice of coping strategy depends on the previous experience and subjective evaluations of the event. Optimal coping strategies include an estimation of the significance of the critical events and consideration of the risks of the subsequent acts or, conversely, the risk of interruption of activity. In some emergency situations it is necessary to respond immediately, while in others it is better to stop the activity. It is a very difficult period for children and it is necessary for them to get help, whether from close relatives, friends, acquaintances or institutions in the form of emotional support, practical help, advice and information. Social support has a direct impact on reducing stress; or rather it acts as a buffer or blocking in dampening the impact of a crisis. It is also an important determinant of mental health and subjective well-being. When a system of social support is lacking, it leads to a reduction in the child's mental endurance and the possibility to deal with the crisis.

Counselling in HIV/AIDS is a core element of the holistic approach to health care. During the process of counselling psychological aspects are recognised. Counselling enables frank discussion of sensitive issues in the client's life. People may suffer from great psychosocial and psychological stresses through a fear of rejection, disease progression, social stigma and

Laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection for evidence of the specific antibody or HIV is a serious step in the life of an individual; it should be accompanied by an interview/counselling session before and after the examination. And this is especially

In Kenya, VTC (Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centres) were created for free diagnosis and advice across the whole country. They provide services for all residents by professionally trained counsellors. The counsellors discuss a lot of psychosocial issues

Probably the most important service being offered to people living with AIDS is counselling. This is carried out by individuals and by groups. The common objectives of counselling are firstly to win the confidence of people with AIDS, so that they return for continued help. Then, people have to be helped to grow and develop, so that they can decide what they want and live valuable lives regardless of their HIV status. People who have been tested must be helped to get through the initial period of crisis. Infected people must be shown how to keep from spreading AIDS and how to take preventive steps. They must be

Because we have no cure for HIV/AIDS, we have to focus our interventions on caring for the physical as well as the psychological welfare of the HIV positive individual and his or her significant others. The aims of counselling should always be based on the needs of the

which people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS face in their everyday life.

encouraged to talk with their family members. (Shorter & Onyancha, 1998)

client. The purpose of counselling could be as follows:

find other alternative ways of coping with the situation.

the like.

**7. Process of counselling** 

the uncertainties associated with future.

important by diagnose of children.


Counselling should be about constructive change and about making a substantive difference in the life of the client. However only the client can make that difference, the counsellor is merely an instrument to facilitate that process of change.
