Process

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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