Therapeutic Communication

Lecture 1

Objective #6

• Define communication

Communication is:

• interaction • between 2+ people • exchange of information

Communication

• -tion–Process

• Communica–Share / give–To make common

Communication is influenced by:

• Values• Attitudes• Beliefs• Purpose• Context

• Intrapersonal • Interpersonal

Objective #7

• Identify and describe the operational definition of the communication process

Communication Process

1. Sender2. Receiver3. Message4. Feedback

Message

• Expression of your thoughts

Sender

• Encoding• Sends our the

message

Method

Receiver

• Decoding• Person to whom

the message was sent

Feedback!

• Response to the message

Objective #8

• List the two main channels of communication

Types of Communication

Verbal• Spoken word• Written word

Non-verbal• AKA: body language

8 modes of nonverbal communication

1. Physical appearance2. Body movement & Posture3. Facial expression4. Gestures5. Eye contact6. Tone & volume or voice7. Touch8. Silence

Two Main Channels of Communication are WORDS and BEHAVIORS

• Verbal – The words we choose (7%)

• Paraverbal –How we say the words (38%)

• Kinesics –Body Language (55%)

People Reading

• What people are really saying.

Body Language

• Facial Expressions• Posture• Gestures

Considerations

• Context• Sufficient Samples• Culture / Ethnicity• Age and Gender• Faking and Deception

Emotional Facial ExpressionsDr. Paul Ekman

• Anger– Wrath / Rage

• Contempt– Disrespect / Intense Dislike

• Disgust– Aversion / Repugnance

• Fear– Agitation / Anxiety

• Happiness– Pleasure / Contentment

• Sadness– Showing / Causing Sorrow

• Surprise– Sudden / Unexpected

Posture and Gestures• Anger– Lean Forward– Clenched Fists

• Excited / Happy– Open, Palms Up

• Intimidating– Upright, Close

Proximity

• Interest– Lean Forward– Hand on Face, Finger

pointing up• Defensive– Closed– Arms Crossed

• Mirroring– Matched Position– Matched Elevation

Objective #9

• Explain what is meant by the P.T.—patient relationship

Empathy versus Sympathy

Empathy

• Acknowledge client’s emotions

• Show care by listening and responding

Sympathy

• Carry some of the patients problems…. Feel sorry for them

Emotional Separateness

Allows the professional to focus on the patient’s needs and not on our own!!

• Be Self-Aware• Be Self-Monitoring• Be Self-Correcting

Objective #10

• Describe why therapeutic communication is the most important tool used by the P.T.

Basic Communication Skills

What characteristics do you ascribe to someone you really like talking to?

Therapeutic Communication

• Is “other focused”

Listening is the key!

Elements of Therapeutic Communication

• Trust• Empathy• Respect

Congruence (Genuineness)• Self Awareness• Listening

Traits for Successful and Effective Therapeutic Communication:

• non-judgmental• good listener• genuine liking for

people• open body language• good eye contact• clarifies what they

heard• trustworthy - integrity

• sincere desire to help• values who your are• exhibits patience• attentive• not always quick to

remedy• appropriate vocabulary• use humor• sensitivity and Empathy

Objective #14

• Discriminate between hearing and listening

How can you become a better listener?

• Hearing– Sensing sound

• Listening– “A process that involves sensing,

interpreting, evaluating and reacting to spoken messages.”

Definition

• Listening– “A process that involves sensing,

interpreting, evaluating and reacting to spoken messages.”

stages of listening

• Sensation• Interpretation• Evaluation• Reaction

listening challenges

• Distractions– Internal – External

listening challenges

• Distractions• Shutting out the message• The rush to judgment• Partial hearing• Disabilities

Become an active listener

• Set purposes • Ask questions• Pay attention to verbal signpost• Expect the unexpected

Ask questions

• “The most important types of question you will ask are…–CLARIFYING QUESTIONS”

Objective #15

• Relate how therapeutic communication differs from social communication

Style of Communication

Social

• Family• Friends

Therapeutic

• Purposeful• Goal oriented

Therapeutic vs. Social Communication• Focus on helping patient• PLANNED and directed

with a purpose by the professional

• Needs of the patient outweigh the needs of the P.T.

• Professionals are obligated to share information within Tx Team

• Relies on pt. disclosure

• Both parties seek to have personal needs met

• Involves equal disclosure of personal information and intimacy

• Confidentiality• Spontaneity

• Therapeutic • Social

Objective #16

• Define and describe the importance of each of the following:–Readiness skills, Attending skills, Active

listening skills, Reflecting skills: content and emotion

Objective #17

• Explain the concept of the therapeutic self.

Psychiatric Technicians Primary Role:

• Therapeutic “Use of Self” • Attempt to establish healthy relationships with people who

are unable to do so• Therapeutic interpersonal relationships• Therapeutic communication