THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION Flashcards
(35 cards)
WHAT IS THIS?
- Critical skill in nursing
- To gather assessment data
- To teach
- To express caring and comfort
Communication
What are the 4 Elements of Communication?
- Sender
- Message
- Receiver
- Feedback
What are the 2 Modes of Communication?
This means the different ways people share or send information with each other.
Verbal and Non-verbal
This is when we use words to communicate.
It can be spoken or written.
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
This is when we send messages without using words.
Our body, face, voice, and actions can all send messages!
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
FAMILIARIZE ONLY!
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Here are the things that affect how well you communicate verbally:
- Pace and Intonation — How fast or slow you speak (pace) and the rise and fall of your voice (intonation). It helps show emotion and meaning.
- ➡️ Example: Saying “Really?” slowly with a rising tone shows surprise.
- Simplicity — Use simple words so your listener can understand easily.
- ➡️ Example: Say “Use the soap” instead of “Utilize the cleansing agent.”
- Clarity and Brevity — Speak clearly and keep your message short but complete.
- ➡️ Example: Instead of “Uh… I was kinda thinking about maybe…” say, “I want to suggest…”
- Timing and Relevance — Say the right message at the right time.
- ➡️ Example: Don’t interrupt someone, wait for the right moment to speak.
- Adaptability — Adjust the way you talk depending on the person or situation.
- ➡️ Example: You talk differently to your teacher than to your close friend.
- Credibility — People are more likely to believe you if you’re honest, accurate, and confident.
- ➡️ Example: A nurse giving clear and correct health advice sounds credible.
- Humor — A little appropriate humor can make the conversation light and help build a connection.
- ➡️ Example: Making a funny but respectful joke in a serious meeting can ease tension.
FAMILIARIZE ONLY!
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Sending messages without words — through actions, looks, and behavior.
- Personal Appearance — How you look (clothing, grooming) can send a message.
- ➡️ Example: A well-dressed nurse shows professionalism.
- Posture and Gait — The way you stand, sit, or walk shows your attitude and confidence.
- ➡️ Example: Slouching shows tiredness; standing straight shows confidence.
- Facial Expression — Your face shows feelings even without words.
- ➡️ Example: Smiling shows happiness or friendliness.
- Gestures — Hand and body movements that help send a message.
- ➡️ Example: Nodding shows agreement; waving says “hello.”
FAMILIARIZE ONLY!
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS
These are things that affect how well people understand each other.
- Development — A person’s age or mental growth affects understanding.
- ➡️ Example: You explain things differently to a child than to an adult.
- Gender — Sometimes, males and females express or receive messages differently.
- Values and Perceptions — Our beliefs and how we see the world affect how we understand messages.
- Personal Space — Everyone has a comfort zone. Being too close can make people uncomfortable.
- Territoriality — People feel ownership over certain spaces, and communication changes depending on where you are.
- ➡️ Example: Talking at home feels different from talking in public.
- Roles and Relationships — How close you are to the person, and what your role is, affects how you talk.
- ➡️ Example: You speak more formally to your professor than to a classmate.
- Environment — Noise, temperature, and space can affect communication.
- ➡️ Example: It’s hard to talk clearly in a noisy room.
- Congruence — Your words and actions should match.
- ➡️ Example: Saying “I’m fine” with a sad face causes confusion.
- Interpersonal Attitudes — Being open, respectful, or hostile changes the flow of communication.
- Boundaries — Knowing when to speak and what topics are appropriate to discuss.
- ➡️ Example: You don’t talk about private family issues in a classroom.
Good communication isn’t just about words. How you say it, your body language, your attitude, and even the situation all affect how the message is understood!
It is an interpersonal interaction between the nurse and the client where the nurse focuses on the client’s specific needs to support and promote an effective exchange of information.
“Therapeutic Communication”
✅ In simple terms:
It’s a way of talking and listening where the nurse creates a safe and supportive environment for the client, making sure the client feels heard, understood, and cared for.
25 Therapeutic Communication Techniques
- Accepting
- Broad Opening
- Consensual Validation
- Encouraging Comparison
- Encouraging description of perception
- Encouraging expression
- Exploring
- Focusing
- Formulating a plan of action
- General leads
- Giving information
- Making observation
- Offering self
- Giving recognition
- Placing event in time or sequence
- Presenting reality
- Reflecting
- Restating
- Seeking Information
- Silence
- Suggesting collaboration
- Summarizing
- Translating into feelings
- Verbalizing the implied
- Voicing doubt
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Indicating that the nurse has heard and understood the client’s thoughts.
“Yes, I understand.” / Nods head.
Accepting
Showing you’re listening and understand.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Allowing the client to take the lead in introducing a topic.
“Where would you like to begin?”
Broad Opening
Letting the client start the topic.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Checking for mutual understanding and agreement on the meaning of words.
“Did I understand you correctly when you said…?”
Consensual Validation
Making sure you both understand the same thing.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Asking the client to note similarities and differences in experiences or perceptions.
“Have you felt this way before?”
Encouraging Comparison
Asking the client to compare past and present situations.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Asking the client to verbalize what they perceive.
“What do you see now?” / “Describe what you feel.”
Encouraging Description of Perception
Asking how the client sees or feels about something.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Asking the client to evaluate and express the quality of their experiences.
“Tell me how you feel about this.”
Encouraging Expression
Helping the client talk about feelings.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Encouraging the client to discuss topics in more depth.
“Can you tell me more about that?”
Exploring
Asking the client to explain more deeply.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Concentrating on a single point of discussion.
“Let’s go back to what you said about your father.”
Focusing
Bringing attention to a specific point.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Helping the client plan future coping strategies or behaviors.
“What will you do the next time you feel anxious?”
Formulating a Plan of Action
Helping the client plan for what to do next.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Giving simple encouragement to continue speaking.
“Go on…” / “And then?”
General Leads
Encouraging the client to keep talking.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Providing the client with facts they need.
“Your doctor will visit you at 10 am.”
Giving Information
Providing facts or answers.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Verbalizing what the nurse notices about the client. (“I notice that you are biting your lip…”)
“I notice you’ve been quiet today.”
Making Observation
Saying what you notice about the client.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Making oneself available to the client. (“I will stay here with you.”)
“I’m here for you.” / “I’ll stay with you.”
Offering Self
Showing you’re available and willing to help.
Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Acknowledging the client by name or recognizing their efforts. (“You’ve finished your therapy today.”)
“You got out of bed today — that’s great progress!”
Giving Recognition
Acknowledging the client’s progress or effort.
