COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
Therapeutic
Techniques
Examples
Use silence – (Sitting quietly and appearing interested but no verbal communication. Pausing while client gathers thoughts)
Give recognition – Good evening John, or Mr. . . .
· Thank you for helping around . . .
Demonstrate acceptance – Yes . . .
· Uh hmm . . .
· I follow what you are saying.
Offer self – I will spend some time with you.
· I will go out for a walk with you.
· How can I help you?
Give broad openings (some sources – What would you like to talk about?
call this a General lead) – Where would you like to begin?
· How do you feel now?
Offer general leads – What happened?
· And then . . .
· Go on . .
Direct lead – I’d like to talk to you about….
– Let’s talk about….
Indirect lead – What would you like to talk about?
– Would you like to talk?
Place event in time and sequence – When did you start feeling this way?
· Was this before or after . . . ?
· What were your thoughts before this?
Make observations – You appear angry.
· You look uncomfortable when . . .
· I notice you are clenching your fists.
· You look relaxed this evening . .
Encourage description of observation – How does it feel to be anxious?
· What is the voice telling you?
· Have you had similar experiences like this before?
Restate – Client: I stayed awake all night.
Nurse: You have difficulty sleeping.
– Client: I don’t know whether I should go out with the group as I don’t have any clothes and my mother might visit me.
Nurse: You really do not wish to go if you are not properly dressed.
– You wish to join the group if you are sure your mother is not coming to visit you.
Reflection – Client: Do you think I should go?
Nurse: Do you think you should?
– Client: My mother might be disappointed.
Nurse: And this makes you feel angry?
Focus on statement – Let us talk more about this incident.
Client: Last night I really enjoyed the party.
– Nurse: You said your mother might be disappointed.
Explore – Tell me more about that.
· What does your mother do when she gets disappointed?
· How do you react to her then?
Seek clarification – I do not follow what you are saying
· What are you trying to tell me?
· How do you behave when you get angry?
Present reality – I hear no voices.
· That was the radio.
· Your mother is not here. You are in the hospital.
Give information – You are in the hospital.
· Your mother will come during visiting hours which are from . . . . to . . . .
· This medication will help you settle your nerves.
Voice doubt – I find that hard to believe.
· Do you really think she will be disappointed or will be glad?
· Isn’t that unusual?
Seek consensual validation – Are you telling me that your mother gets angry when she comes and you are not around?
· And as a result you get very hostile?
Verbalize the implied – Client: I cannot talk to you or anyone. You are all the same.
Nurse: Is it your feeling that no one understands you?
– Client: My mother and my girlfriend always tell me what to do.
Nurse: Is it your feeling that women are controlling?
Attempt to translate into feelings – Client: It’s hopeless and I will not bother you anymore.
Nurse: Are you suggesting that you feel useless and desire to give up?
· That must be frustrating.
Suggest collaboration – Maybe you and I can discuss further what makes you feel this way.
Summarize interaction – You said that . . .
· We have discussed . . .
Formulate plan of action – What can you do to express your anger constructively?
· When this happens again, how would you handle it?
Accurate empathy – That must have been very difficult
– I can’t imagine how painful that must have been
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Non-Therapeutic Techniques Examples
Giving reassurance – Everything will be all right.
· Don’t worry about that.
· You did all that you could.
Giving approval – I am glad that you . . .
· That is really good.
· You did quite well.
· You look pretty/handsome today
Rejecting – I do not wish to discuss this any further.
· Let us talk of something else.
Disapproving – I wish you did not . . .
· How many times did I tell you not to . . .
Agreeing – I agree that …
· You did it.
Giving advice – Maybe you should . . .
· This is the best way to . . .
Probing – Now tell me about . . .
· How is your sex life?
Challenging – How can you be the Prime Minister?
· If you are depressed, how can you function?
Testing – Do you know what place this is?
· Do you still feel that you are the Prime Minister?
· Where are you now?
Making stereotyped comments – Things will be better.
· It’s really nice outside.
· How are you? You are looking great.
Giving literal responses – Client: I am a disciple sent by God.
Nurse: St. Peter or St. Paul?
· Client: I am here to spread the Gospel.
Nurse: Gather the other clients then for group therapy and you can spread your gospel.
Requesting an explanation – Why do you think that you are a disciple?
· Why do you feel that way?
· Why did you do that?
Belittling expressed feelings – I know what you mean. I feel that way sometimes.
· Everybody feels depressed every now and then.
Interpreting – What you are saying is . . .
· Perhaps unconsciously you want to . . .
Introducing unrelated topic – Client: I wonder if my husband will be here
or Changing the subject before surgery.
Nurse: Did you go away for the summer?
Using denial – Client: Perhaps I have cancer.
Nurse: Don’t be silly. Not all surgery is for cancer.
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