Resource for Trainers

Teaching methods

These are an integral part of learning counselling skills designed to increase self-awareness and encourage reflection. They can be facilitated in a group setting and by individuals on their own. Examples of suitable exercises are described throughout Counselling Skills for Dietitians.

A variety of methods can usefully be employed:

Method	Purpose
When working in small groups

Doing exercises taken from Counselling Skills for Dietitians	To increase awareness
Research and report on a topic (a different one for each group)	To gain knowledge
Discussions in small groups, then sharing main points with the large group	To learn from one another
Role play: in threes, with each person taking the role of dietitian, patient or observer	To gain skills practice
Sharing experiences of communications with others (work in pairs)	To increase awareness

When students are on their own

Reading about a topic and writing a short report	To gain knowledge
Watching the video, reflecting on Some Points to Consider given with each scene	To see skills in action
Doing exercises taken from Counselling Skills for Dietitians	To increase awareness
Keeping a personal reflective journal to record insights and experiences	To increase awareness
Applying the skills (where appropriate) in everyday life	To gain practice