The Diabetes Counselling Course was established 20 years ago by Chris Gillespie, a clinical psychologist with many years experience in diabetes care and Charles Fox, consultant physician in diabetes.   The Course is based at Knuston Hall, an Adult Education Centre situated in rural Northamptonshire and is usually held once a year with up to 24 participants and eight facilitators. 

The Course is designed to teach health care professionals a range of communication skills with the focus on working with people with diabetes.  We devote some time to thinking about how to incorporate these new skills in the reality of our own working environment.

In 2007, we enhanced the course by including training in patient empowerment.  With the help of Bob Anderson, who introduced empowerment into diabetes care in the US, we designed a new 3 day course, combining communication skills and empowerment techniques.    We use video real play in small groups and the feedback session is controlled by the person taking the role of counsellor.   This allows learning and discussion in a secure, unthreatening environment.   At the end of the course, we invite trained actors to play client roles, enabling participants to practice their skills in a more realistic setting.

The course is approved by the Royal College of Physicians for 18 clinical CPD credits.

For more details, contact us HERE