Presented by: Mae Caberte

BSN3-3 Group 11

Therapeutic communication is defined as the face-to-face process of interacting that focuses on advancing the physical and emotional well-being of a patient.  

The distinguishing aspect of therapeutic communication is its application to long-term communication interactions. This kind of communication has three general purposes: collecting information to determine illness, assessing and modifying behavior, and providing health education.

Listening is one of the most difficult skills to master.  It requires you to maintain an open mind, eliminate both internal and external noise and distractions, and channel attention to all verbal and nonverbal messages.  Listening involves the ability to recognize pitch and tone of voice, evaluate vocabulary and choice of words, and recognize hesitancy or intensity of speech as part of the total communication attempt.

Therapeutic communication begins with the nurse showing respect for the patient and family members and recognizing that communication includes not only verbal responses but also nonverbal expressions, such as tone of voice, body language and facial expression. The nurse must listen and observe carefully and use communication techniques that promote better communication in order to understand the needs and feelings of the patient.

Offering SelfOffering Self -making self-available and showing

interest and concern. -“I will walk with you”

Active listeningActive listening -paying close attention to what the

patient is saying by observing both verbal and non-verbal cues.

-Maintaining eye contact and making verbal remarks to clarify and encourage further communication.

ExploringExploring -“Tell me more about your son.”

Giving broad openingsGiving broad openings -What do you want to talk about today?

SilenceSilence -Planned absence of verbal remarks to allow

patient and nurse to think over what is being discussed and to say more.

Stating the observedStating the observed -verbalizing what is observed in the patient

to, for validation and to encourage discussion

-“You sound angry”

SummarizingSummarizing -reviewing the main points of discussions

and making appropriate conclusions. -“During this meeting, we discussed about

what you will do when you feel the urge to hurt your self again and this include…”

Placing the event in time or sequencePlacing the event in time or sequence -asking for relationship among events. -“When do you begin to experience this

ticks? Before or after you entered grade school?”

Voicing doubtVoicing doubt -voicing uncertainty about the reality of

patient’s statements, perceptions and conclusions.

-“I find it hard to believe…”

Encouraging descriptions of Encouraging descriptions of perceptionsperceptions

-asking the patients to describe feelings, perceptions and views of their situations.

-“What are these voices telling you to do?”

Presenting reality or confrontingPresenting reality or confronting -stating what is real and what is not without

arguing with the patient. “I am Mae, your nurse, and this is a hospital

and not a beach resort.”

Seeking clarificationSeeking clarification -asking patient to restate, elaborate, or give

examples of ideas or feelings to seek clarification of what is unclear.

-“I don’t think I understand what you are saying”.

Verbalizing the impliedVerbalizing the implied -rephrasing patient’s words to highlight an

underlying message to clarify statements. -Patient: I wont be bothering you anymore

soon. -Nurse: Are you thinking of killing yourself?

ReflectingReflecting -throwing back the patient’s statement in a

form of question helps the patient identify feelings.

RestatingRestating -repeating the exact words of patients to

remind them of what they said and to let them know they are heard.

- Patient: I can’t sleep. I stay awake all night. - Nurse: You can’t sleep at night?

General leadsGeneral leads - using neutral expressions to encourage patients

to continue talking.

EmpathyEmpathy -recognizing and acknowledging patient’s

feelings.

FocusingFocusing -pursuing a topic until its meaning or importance

is clear. -“Let us talk more about your best friend in

college”

InterpretingInterpreting -providing a view of the meaning or importance of

something. -Patient: I always take this towel wherever I go. -Nurse: That towel must always be with you.

Encouraging evaluationEncouraging evaluation -asking for patients views of the meaning or

importance of something.

Giving informationGiving information -providing information that will help patients

make better choices.

FeedbackFeedback -pointing out specific behaviors and giving

impressions of reactions. -“I see you combed your hair today”.

Reinforcement -giving feedback on positive behaviors.

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the

way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our

communication with others.”

Anthony Robinns