The third edition Counselling Skills for Dieticians has been fully revised and updated to reflect the recent developments, research and interests in the field. It explores the skills required for dietetic counselling, and includes frequent examples of dialogue from patient consultations, as well as exercises and activities so that the reader can undergo experiential learning relevant to their practice.

* Includes examples from daily practice to illustrate the difficulties encountered by dietitians and demonstrate the application of counselling skills

* Clearly explains theoretical models of accepted counselling practice underpinning the skills described

* Has been updated to include additional information on topics such as assertiveness skills and eating distress

* Addresses practical and psychological issues faced by dietitians and patients

* Includes the latest research evidence for counselling skills in dietetic practice

* Draws upon research evidence, theory and experience from the fields of psychotherapy and counselling

* Now provides access to a range of supportive online material including videos of consultations, case studies and resources for trainers

Judy Gable worked as a dietitian for many years, specialising in paediatrics in the 1970s and diabetes research in the 1980s. In the early 1990s she established the course in communication skills for dietetic students at King's College and during the next ten years also facilitated introductory courses in counselling skills and assertiveness for dietitians. She continued to work as a counsellor in primary care until 2010.

Tamara Herrmann has worked for many years as a GP/Community dietitian and during this time developed her interest in obesity, eating disorders and communication skills. Tamara now works in private practice as a registered dietitian and registered psychotherapist.

Counselling Skills for Dietitians should be studied by student dietitians and registered dietitians alike and has a well-deserved place in all departments of nutrition and dietetics and university libraries. It will also be of great value to registered nutritionists and other clinicians and researchers involved in nutrition counselling From the foreword by Kevin Whelan, Professor of Dietetics, King's College London.

Dietitians need to use advanced communication skills as well as technical expertise in order to assess clients needs, identify their problems and help them to manage their diet and lifestyle. This book is designed to help dietitians to develop the approach and communication skills most effective in helping others. In view of the ever increasing emphasis on lifestyle change and preventive measures in health care, it is intended that Counselling Skills for Dietitians will also benefit a wider range of health professionals.

The third edition of this thought-provoking and useful text has been fully revised and updated to reflect the recent developments, research and interests in the field. It explores the skills required for dietetic counselling, and includes frequent examples of dialogue from patient consultations, as well as exercises and activities so that the reader can undergo experiential learning relevant to their practice.

Counselling Skills for Dietitians, third edition:

• Includes examples from daily practice to illustrate the difficulties encountered by dietitians and demonstrate the application of counselling skills;
• Clearly explains theoretical models of accepted counselling practice underpinning the skills described;
• Has been updated to include additional information on ways to address issues of concern when working with more than one person at a time and topics such as assertiveness skills and eating distress;
• Makes reference to evidence based practice and cultural changes;
• Addresses practical and psychological issues faced by dietitians and patients
• Now provides access to a range of supportive online material including videos of consultations, case studies and resources for trainers

• Includes examples from daily practice to illustrate the difficulties encountered by dietitians and demonstrate the application of counselling skills
• Clearly explains theoretical models of accepted counselling practice underpinning the skills described
• Has been updated to include additional information on topics such as assertiveness skills and eating distress
• Addresses practical and psychological issues faced by dietitians and patients
• Includes the latest research evidence for counselling skills in dietetic practice
• Draws upon research evidence, theory and experience from the fields of psychotherapy and counselling
• Now provides access to a range of supportive online material including videos of consultations, case studies and resources for trainers

Foreword xiv

About the authors xvi

Preface to the third edition xvii

Acknowledgements xx

Introduction xxi

About the companion website xxv

Part 1: Using a counselling approach in patient-centred practice 1

1 The dietitian 3

The role of the dietitian 3

Using a prescriptive approach 4

Control, compliance and responsibility 5

Changing approaches to providing health care 5

Developing a patient-centred approach 7

Introducing counselling skills 8

Developing a counselling approach 10

Portrait of a dietitian using a counselling approach 10

Qualities for a dietitian to develop 11

Providing care 12

Personal and professional development 12

Self-awareness 13

Frame of reference 13

Self-worth 13

Reflective practice 14

Benefits of reflective practice 14

Use of the word 'reflection' 15

Different approaches to counselling and psychotherapy 15

Psychoanalytic approach 15

Behavioural and cognitive approaches 16

Humanistic approach 16

Transactional Analysis 17

Systemic therapy 17

Neuro-linguistic programming 17

Mindfulness 18

Overview of the evidence concerning the use of communication skills in dietetic practice 18

References 19

2 The patient 22

Using a patient-centred approach 22

The concerns of the patient 23

The feelings of the patient 24

The expectations of the patient 25

The nature of change 26

Change has a ripple effect 26

Change occurs in a number of ways 26

People react and adapt to change in various ways 27

Change is paradoxical, in that we both want it and do not want it 27

Change can have implications of which we are not aware 27

Reactions to change 27

Shock 28

Release of emotion 28

Talking about it 28

Ambivalence 29

Bargaining 29

Doubt about being able to cope 29

Blame 30

Distancing 30

Adapting to change 30

Patient satisfaction 31

References 32

3 The relationship between dietitian and patient 33

Circumstances surrounding the dietitian's relationship with the patient 33

Core conditions for a helping relationship 34<…