An informed choice is a client’s thoughtful decision based on accurate understanding of the full range of options and their possible results. Counseling helps clients make their own informed choices.

The choice belongs to the client. Reproductive health care providers give accurate, useful information and actively help clients apply this information to their own situations. Clients are the experts on their own lives and can make the best decisions. Providers do not pressure clients to choose a certain option or to use a certain family planning method.

STEP	PROVIDER'S ACTIONS	EXAMPLE: CLIENT A A married woman, age 21, with a 4-month-old child.	EXAMPLE: CLIENT B A 16-year-old school girl.
GREET G	Express respect and friendliness. This helps the client feel confident and willing to express feelings, ask questions, and make decisions.
ASK A	1. Help the client put into words the choice that she or he is facing.	Client: "I want to choose a family planning method."	Client: "Should I have sex with my boyfriend?"
	2. Ask questions to help the client clarify the choice, including questions, about reasons that a decision is needed.	Client: "I will want another baby some day, so I want a temporary method."	Client: "My boyfriend is pressuring me for sex, but I am not ready."
TELL T	1. List the different options, or help the client list them.	Provider: "Temporary methods available are pills, condoms, IUDs, injectables" ...and so on.	Client: "I could stop seeing him. Or I could ask him to stop pressuring me. Or I could give in."
	2. Give the client accurate, tailored, and personalized information about the options.	Provider: "If you want to get pregnant as soon as possible after you stop a method, there are various methods you can consider. These include...." ...and so on.	Provider: "Even the first time you have sex can cause pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease unless you protect yourself" ...and so on.
HELP H	1. Help the client think about several possible positive and negative results of each option for them personally.	Provider: "Condoms have no side effects, but your husband must cooperate." ...and so on.	Client: "If I don't give in, he may drop me." ...and so on.
	2. Help the client think how she or he would feel about these results. Which are most important?	Client: "My husband will cooperate, and I do not want any side effects."	Client: "I would rather break up with my boyfriend than have sex before I am ready."
	3. Ask the client to say aloud what she or he has decided.	Client: "I have decided to choose condoms."	Client: "I will tell him that I cannot stay with him unless he stops pressuring me."
EXPLAIN E	Explain how to carry out the decision. Help the client think how to adopt new behavior.	Give the client condoms and show how to use them; invite her to bring her husband for discussions.	Help the client rehearse her discussion with her boyfriend.
RETURN R	Help the client think about the decision again and make a new informed choice if she or he wishes.	Provider: "How do you find using condoms? Do they seem to be a good method for you? Are you having any problems?" ...and so on.	Client: "We have decided to get married when I finish school, but we don't want children right away...."

Suggested discussions: What would be respectful and friendly greetings for these 2 clients? Also, imagine another choice that a client might face: How would you help that client make an informed choice?