Given the importance of counseling in HIV testing, we analyzed the institutional guidelines, the competencies encouraged during counselors’ professional training and these counselors’ knowledge and practices. This was a qualitative study based on document analysis, observation and interviews with counselors at HIV testing and counseling centers in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Bourdieu’s theory was the foundation for the analysis. It was shown that counselors’ professional habitus is produced by the connections between trainings, undergraduate experiences and personal interests and experiences. Putting competencies such as active listening into operation is limited by the routine within the services and lack of opportunities for reflection. In order to improve counseling practices, it is important to develop competencies within training, maintain the inservice education and make adjustments to healthcare service routine. These arrangements may strengthen the transition from guidelines to action and enhance the management and organization of the testing and counseling centers.
Counseling; HIV; Sociology; Professional training; Competency-based education