MODULE TWO: COUNSELLING - FHI 360 Center for Global Health ...

3. Explore options for self-disclosure. Encourage a woman to talk to her
partner about her status if she does not feel that he will react violently. If
she does feel that he might get violent, refer her to women’s shelter or AIDS
organization that can help her to develop a safety plan. It is also beneficial
to help women explore the advantages and disadvantages of telling their
children about their status.
4. Encourage women to plan for the future of their children. This could
include making arrangements for others to care for them and saving money
for their future expenses.
5. Women may despair about the fact that they will never have sex again.
Reassure them that it is possible for HIV-positive people to enjoy healthy sex
lives as long as they protect themselves and their partners. Tell women
about different safer sex practices and help them develop a plan for
negotiating safer sex with their partners.
6. Encourage women to practice positive living (see Session 9 of Module
One). Explain the importance of good nutrition, universal precautions,
alternative therapies, exercise and stress reduction.
Help women to identify sources of stress, since stress can weaken the immune
system. Stress can be combated through problem solving, changing the
environment that causes stress or avoiding the stressful situation entirely.
Encourage women to find ways of reducing stress so that they can stay healthy.
For example, they might be able to talk with family or friends, practice
meditation or create quiet time for themselves.
Session 8-Pg.10