therapeutic communication techniques Flashcards
(25 cards)
accepting
indicating reception
-“yes”
-“I follow what you said”
-“nodding”
-an accepting response 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 lose their meaning
broad openings
allowing the client to take initiative in introducing the topic
-“is there something you’d like to talk about?”
-“where would you like to begin”
consensual validation
searching for mutual understanding, for accord in the meaning of the words
-“tell me whether my understanding of it agrees with yours.”
-“are you using this word to convey that”
encouraging comparison
asking that similarities and differences be noted
-“was it something like..? “
-“have you had similar experiences?”
encouraging description of perceptions
asking the client to verbalize what they perceive
-“tell me when you feel anxious.”
-“what is happening?”
-“what does the voice seem to be saying? “
encouraging expression
asking the client to appraise the quality of his or her experiences
-“what are your feelings in regard to…”
-“does this contribute to your distress?”
exploring
delving further into a subject or area
-“tell me more about that”
-“would you describe it more fully?”
-“what kind of work?”
focusing
concentrating on a single point
-“This point seems worth looking at more closely.”
-“of all the concerns you’ve mentioned, which is the most troublesome?”
formulating a plan of action
asking the client to consider kinds o behavior likely to be appropriate in future situations
-“what could you do to let our anger out harmlesslessy?”
-“next time this comes up, what might you do to handle it?”
general leads
giving encouragement to continue
-“go on.”
-“and then?”
-“tell me about it”
giving information
making available the facts the the client needs
-“my name is..”
-“ visiting hours are…”
-“my purpose in being here is…”
giving recognition
acknowledging, indicating awareness
-“Good morning Mr. S…”
-“you’ve finished your list of things to do.”
-“I notice that you’ve combed your hair.”
making observations
verbalizing what the nurse perceives
-are you uncomfortable when..?
-“I notice that you’re biting your lip..”
offering self
making oneself available
-“Ill sit with you a while”
-“Ill stay here with you”
-“I’m interested in what you think
placing event in time or sequence
clarifying the relationship of events in time
-“what seemed to lead up to..”
-“was this before or after…”
-“when did this happen?”
presenting reality
offering for consideration that which is real
-“that sound was a car backfiring.”
-“our mother is not here; I am a nurse.”
reflecting
directing client actions, thoughts, and feelings back to client
-client: my brother spends all my money and then has the nerve to ask for more.
nurse: this causes your to feel angry?
restating
repeating the main idea expressed
-client: i cant sleep. I stay up all night.
nurse: so you have difficulty sleeping?
seeking information
seeking to make clear that which is not meaningful or that which is vague
-“I’m not sure that i follow.”
-“have i heard you correctly?”
silence
a sense of verbal communication, which provides time for the client to put thoughts or feelings into words, to regain composure, or to continue talking
-nurse says nothing but continues to maintain eye contact and conveys interest
suggesting collaboration
offering to share, to strive, and to work with the client for his or her benefit
-“perhaps you and i can discuss and discover triggers for your anxiety”
-“Let’s go to your room, and I’ll help you find what you’re looking for.
summarizing
organizing and summing up that which has gone before
-“have I got this straight?
-“you’ve said that…”
-“during the past hour you and i have discussed…”
translating into feelings
seeking to verbalize client’s feelings that he or she expresses only indirectly
-client: “I’m way out in the ocean”
nurse: “You seem to feel lonely or deserted”
verbalizing the implied
voicing what the client has hinted at or suggested
-client: “I can’t talk to anyone. It’s a waste of time.”
nurse: “do you feel that no one understands you?”
