Therapeutic Communication Techniques

• Indicating reception

  Accepting
• "Yes."

  "I follow what you said."

  Nodding

  Are examples of:

  Accepting
• It indicates the nurse has heard and followed the train of thought. It does not indicate agreement but is nonjudgemental.

  Facial expression, tone of voice, and so forth also must convey acceptance or the words will lose their meaning.

  Accepting
• Allowing the client to take the initiative in introducing the topic.

  Broad openings
• "Is there is something you'd like to talk about?"

  "Where would you like to begin?"

  Are examples of:

  Broad openings
• It make explicit that the client has the lead in the interaction. For the client who is hesitant about talking, it may stimulate him or her take the initiative.

  Broad openings
• Searching for manual understanding, for accord in the meaning of the words.

  Consensual validation
• For verbal communication to be meaningful, it is essential that the words being used have the same meaning for both (all) participants.

  Sometimes words, phrases, or slag terms have different meaning and can be easily misunderstood.

  Consensual validation
• "Tell me whether my understanding of it agrees with yours."

  Are you using this word to convey that....?

  Are examples of:

  Consensual validation
• Asking that similarities and differences be noted

  Encouraging comparison
• "Was it something like.....?" "Have you had similar experiences?" Are examples of:

  Encouraging comparison
• Comparing ideas, experiences, or relationships brings out many recurring themes. The client benefits from making these comparisons because he or she might recall past coping strategies that were effective or remember that he or she has survived a similar situation.

  Encouraging comparison
• Asking the client to verbalize what he or she perceives

  Encouraging description of perceptions
• "Tell me when you feel anxious."

  "What is happening?"

  "What does the voice seem to be saying?"

  Are examples of:

  Encouraging description of perceptions
• To understand the client, the nurse must see things from his or her perspective. Encouraging the client to describe ideas may relieve the tension the client is feeling, and he or she might be less likely to take action on ideas that are harmful or frightening

  Encouraging description of perceptions
• Asking the client to appraise the quality of his or her experiences

  Encouraging expression
• "What are your feelings in regard to....?"

  "Does this contribute to your distress?"

  Are examples of:

  Encouraging expression
• The nurse asks the client to consider people and events in light of his or her own values. Doing so encourages the client to make his or her own appraisal rather than accepting the opinion of others.

  Encouraging expression
• Delving further into a subject or idea


  Exploring
• "Tell me more about that."

  "Would you describe it more fully."

  "What kind of work?"

  Are examples of:

  Exploring
• When clients deal with the topics superficially, it can help them to examine the issue more fully. Any problem or concern can be better understood if explored in depth. If the client expresses an unwillingness to explore a subject, however, the nurse must respect his or her wishes.

  Exploring
• Concentrating on a single point

  Focusing
• "This point seems worth looking at more closely."

  "Of all the concerns you've mentioned, which is most troublesome?".

  Are examples of:

  Focusing
• The nurse encourages that the client to concentrate his or her energies on a single point, which may prevent a multitude of factors or problems from overwhelming the client. It is also a useful technique when a client jumps from one topic to another.

  Focusing
• Asking the client to consider kinds of behavior likely to be appropriate in future situations

  Formulating a plan of action
• "What could you do to let your anger out harmlessly?"

  "Next time this come up, what might you do to handle it?"

  Are examples of:

  Formulating a plan of action
• It may be helpful for the client to plan in advance what he or she might do in the future similar situations.

  Making definite plans increases the likelihood that the client will cope more effectively in a similar situation.

  Formulating a plan of action
• Giving encouragement to continue

  General leads
• "Go on."

  "And then?"

  "Tell me about it."

  Are examples of:

  General leads
• It indicate that the nurse is listening and following what the client is saying without taking away the initiative for the interaction.

  They also encourage the client to continue if he or she is hesitant or uncomfortable about the topic.

  General leads
• Making available the facts that the client needs

  Giving information
• "My name is..."

  "Visiting hours are.."

  "My purpose in being here is ."

  Are examples of:

  Giving information
• Informing the client of facts increases his or her knowledge about a topic or let's the client know what to expect. The nurse is functioning as a resource person. Giving information also builds trust with the client.

  
  

  Giving information
• Acknowledging, indicating, awareness

  Giving recognition
• "Good morning, Mr. S..."

  "You've finished your list of things to do."

  "I notice that you've combed your hair."

  Are examples of:

  Giving recognition
• Greeting the client by name, indicating awareness of change, or nothing efforts the client has made all show that the nurse revognizes the client as a person, as an individual. Such recognition does not carry the notion of value, that is, of being "good" or "bad."

  Giving recognition
• Verbalizing what the nurse perceives

  Making observations
• "You appear tense."

  "Are you comfortable when...?"

  "I notice that you're biting your lip."

  Are examples of:

  Making observations
• Sometimes clients cannot verbalize or make themselves understood. Or the client may not be ready to talk.

  Making observations
• Making oneself available

  Offering self