Naeem S, Ali B S, Mubeen S, Iqbal A.
The Transformative effect of training in counselling and its Application, on the Community Counsellors themselves.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;53(9):388-90.

Objective: To identify the changes in community counsellors` own level of anxiety and depression as a result of learning counselling skills and to explore their subjective experiences after learning and providing counselling. Design: Quantitative: Repeated Measures./ Qualitative: Focus Group Discussions. Setting: A lower middle class semi urban community of Karachi, Pakistan. Participants: Twenty-one self selected women from the community. Results: Reduction was seen in the post training scores of anxiety and/or depression in the trainees. As a result of learning and then providing counselling the community counsellors` self esteem, self confidence and sense of competence were enhanced and they developed a more positive attitude towards life. Conclusion: A minimal level of training in counselling skills and their application led to significant positive changes in the community counsellors themselves, though self-selection and information bias cannot be ruled out (JPMA 53:388;2003).

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com