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Reflection Paper: Therapeutic Communication Assignment
Therapeutic Communication Assignment
Most individuals communicate at some time during the day, and it is a vital component of life,
particularly in the workplace. Everyone has their own manner of interacting with others. It is possible
that how you speak with your parents will differ from how you communicate with your partner, children,
friends, or even strangers. There are verbal and nonverbal communication abilities to convey and
demonstrate to others. These are known as therapeutic communication abilities. Therapeutic
communication refers to the process of interacting with a patient in a way that promotes healing and
growth. It involves using verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to establish a trusting and
supportive relationship with the patient, and to help them express their emotions, concerns, and needs.
(What is Therapeutic Communication) Three ideas illustrate a healthy therapeutic communication
connection. Empathy, warmth, and authenticity are three of these ideas. Empathy is defined as reflecting
oneself to patients and/or clients in a caring manner. You validate the client's verbalized and expressed
views and feelings. You think on what has been said and interrupt by verbalizing your understanding.
"One aspect of warmth is recognizing the client's fundamental worth as a human being, separate
from any evaluation of the person's behavior" (France & Weikel, 2020, pp. 59-60). Counselling warmth is
a basic form for extending clients' fulfillments, increasing their restorative coalition, and avoiding clients'
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Reflection Paper: Therapeutic Communication Assignment
potential for stagnation. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but
also for the interests of others.” (NKJV 2015). After analyzing France & Weikel’s (2020) writing on
warmth, I have come to the understanding that, warmth is crucial in building a strong therapeutic
relationship. By recognizing the client's fundamental worth as a human being, the counselor will
communicate acceptance, empathy, and respect. This can help the client feel understood and valued,
which in turn can create a safe environment for them to open up and explore their thoughts and
feelings. Additionally, by separating the client's fundamental worth from any evaluation of their
behavior, the counselor avoids judgment and criticism. This can help the client feel less defensive and
more open to self-reflection and growth. Warmth is essential for creating a supportive and nurturing
therapeutic environment, where the client feels accepted and understood, and where they can work
towards positive change and personal development. I used to have a challenge when a client cries during
our section, but I have learnt from Petersen (2015) that, “people need to be heard and have their
concerns valued in spite of their tears and our fears” (p. 173). I remember I got more emotional when
THE CLIENT shared tears whiles sharing his or her problems. I also learnt that instead of problem-
solving, I should be asking non-accusatory questions that allow the talker to decode the tears and
continue the conversation in their preferred direction (Petersen, 2015).
A great example of warmth is, throughout the counseling session, the counselor could use
positive body language, such as nodding and leaning forward, to show that they are engaged and
interested in what the client is saying. They could also provide gentle encouragement and praise for the
client's willingness to share and explore their emotions. Just as I have been greeted in a warmly manner
as a guest, I remember how special and comfortable I felt in the company of my hosts.
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Reflection Paper: Therapeutic Communication Assignment
The third interpersonal skill is "real relationship" is genuineness. (France & Weikel, 2020). To be genuine
counselor is to be honest and transparent in your communication with their clients and are willing to be
vulnerable and share your own experiences when it is appropriate and helpful. Being genuine means to
be true to oneself and to write from a place of honesty and authenticity. It means not trying to imitate
someone else's style but instead, allowing one's own unique perspective and experiences to shine
through in their writing. A genuine counselor is sincere in their intentions and is not afraid to be
vulnerable or take risks in their work. They are not concerned with following trends or trying to please
others, but rather, they speak from the heart and stay true to their own voice. Care providers must show
or have a genuine interest in what they say and do for their clients.
France and Weikel (2020) agrees that "the quality of the worker-client relationship is so clearly
linked to client improvement that developing a strong therapeutic bond has been described as a
foundation for helping services" (p. 56). On the other hand, to establish a therapeutic link in therapy, the
counselor must not only speak but also display warmth and empathy (France & Weikel, 2020). Empathy,
warmth, and authenticity are not abilities that everyone excels at in therapy and communication; but,
with awareness and practice, we may develop these talents to build the therapeutic link and productive
behavior (France & Weikel). Effective therapeutic communication is a great tool to be an effective mental
health care provider like a Human service Personnel. During my clinicals after training, I was particularly
concerned about good nonverbal communication. Communication can take place not only vocally, but
also nonverbally. Some of the elderly at the clinical center communicated in nonverbal manner whiles
some communicated verbally but had hearing impairment. It was a challenge to communicate with them
verbally due to their hearing impairment. Most of my communication with them at the time was
nonverbal, like facial expressions, gestures and body language. Using the therapeutic communication
skills helped me as Care provider to serve clients better and through that, clients overcame their fear and
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Reflection Paper: Therapeutic Communication Assignment
anxiety. Taking the time to listen to the residents and allowing them to express their feelings or concerns
is an important part of establishing a trusted professional relationship with clients. My experience
health center helped me to understand more about people and learned the different ways to
communicate.
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Reflection Paper: Therapeutic Communication Assignment
References
Peterson, J. (2022). Why
Don't We Listen Better?
Communicating &
Connecting in
Relationships. Petersen
Publications
France, K., & Weikel, K. (2020).Helping skills for human services workers: Building relationships and
encouraging productive change.(4th ed.). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher Ltd.
New King James Version Gift & Award Bible, (2015). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Peterson, J. C. (2015).Why don't we listen better? Communicating & connecting in relationships.Portland,
OR: Peterson Publications
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