HIV counseling

HIV counseling refers to the interpersonal and dynamic communication process between a client and a trained counselor, who is bound by a code of ethics and practice to resolve personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties, and whose objective in counseling in the context of an HIV diagnosis is to encourage the client to explore important personal issues, identify ways of coping with anxiety and stress, plan for the future (keeping healthy, adhering to treatment, and preventing transmission) and in the context of a negative HIV test result, to encourage the client to explore motivations, options, and skills to stay HIV-negative. (Sec. 3(o), R.A. No. 11166)