Counseling is the process of helping clients make voluntary and informed decisions about their individual care. It is a two-way exchange of information that involves listening to clients and informing them of their options.
Counseling is always responsive to each client's individual needs and values.
All providers, regardless of their professional backgrounds and educational credentials, need special training in counseling and informed choice. AVSC publishes a number of materials on counseling for family planning clients, including client-education brochures, a curriculum on family planning counseling, and publications on the special counseling needs of clients interested in sterilization. For more information, see the AVSC publications on Counseling, informed choice, and informed consent and AVSC's Client education materials . Return to the Informed Choice page. Informed choice refers to the process by which an individual arrives at a decision about health care.