reproductive health services for adolescents - Pathfinder International

Module 16/Unit 4
UNIT 4:
COMMUNICATING WITH THE ADOLESCENT CLIENT
INTRODUCTION:
Clear and effective communication is the starting point in helping an adolescent achieve
healthy development and reproductive health. Being able to understand the perspective
of the adolescent will enable the provider/counselor to respond appropriately, creating a
positive and effective service experience. Positive provider-client interaction benefits the
adolescent because s/he will feel more comfortable expressing her/his concerns or
problems, thereby enabling the provider to more effectively serve the adolescent’s
needs.
UNIT TRAINING OBJECTIVE:
To enable the provider/counselor to communicate clearly and effectively with
adolescents by understanding the adolescent’s perspective and responding to specific
needs of the adolescent client.
SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the unit, participants will be able to:
1. Explain ways that the provider can establish trust with the adolescent client.
2. Demonstrate behaviors conducive to counseling adolescent clients.
3. Demonstrate good counseling techniques to be used with adolescent clients.
SIMULATED SKILL PRACTICE:
• Through role play, participants demonstrate asking effective questions.
• Through role play, participants demonstrate the clarification technique to help
adolescents explore ideas and feelings.
TRAINING/LEARNING METHODOLOGY:
• Trainer presentation
• Discussion
• Verbal/nonverbal communication exercise
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Adolescent Curriculum