Counseling Skills

Years and even decades after the fact, new parents will remember the words you said to them and how your words made them feel. When it comes to helping, your communication skills — how you listen, speak, and relate — matter just as much as your lactation-specific knowledge.

Your instructor for this course, Angela Love-Zaraka, BA, IBCLC, RLC, Program Director at LER, has been helping lactating families for more than 30 years. She shares specific field-tested techniques to help you:

• Increase the skillfulness of your verbal and nonverbal communication
• Build rapport, starting with the first contact
• Provide information instead of advice and facilitate shared decision making
• Avoid jargon and explain technical concepts clearly
• Tailor the information you provide during each trimester and the fourth trimester
• Develop succinct, goal-oriented care plans
• Communicate effectively and confidently about feeding choices
• Successfully lead educational or support groups
• Communicate confidently with other healthcare providers

What you say matters! Don’t miss Love-Zaranka’s clear advice, followed by opportunities to build your communication skills with realistic case scenarios. Bonus: Love-Zaranka offers a plethora of carefully vetted additional resources during this class. Add them to your toolbox; they’re perfect for sharing with parents.