THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION CONCEPTS 2
Therapeutic Communication Concepts
France and Weikel (2019) provided a critical therapy insight: "During the client's initial
revelations, patiently listen to the person. Focus on what the individual is communicating, and
assume ignorance" (p.87). This statement should guide any process of therapy in which a client
has sought the services of a human service expert to get solutions. The condition fits within the
overall requirement of warmth, empathy, and genuineness, which are essential in offering human
services. Although applying empathy, warmth, and genuineness may call for various techniques,
I believe the three are essential principles that define my D-personality behavioral blend.
Empathy perfects the results of therapy and may be manifested through remarkable
progress. There are several reasons why empathetic understanding may improve the results of
therapy. First, it enables workers to communicate their understanding to their clients. This can be
done through practical reflections: "the goal is to be able to express in your own words the
understanding you have of the client's experience, which may include thoughts and feelings the
client has not directly verbalized" (France & Weikel, 2019, p. 57). Practical reflections during
therapy should be characterized by a conveyance of empathy judging by the response of clients.
France and Weikel (2019) warn that clients should express their acknowledgment of empathy by
using words like "Yes, exactly, and not ambiguous ones like "I guess" (p. 57). This would
quickly improve treatment progress.
The principle of empathy has also been emphasized in other texts apart from the
aforementioned piece of literature. For instance, the Bible emphasizes the need for empathy:
Paul informs the Romans that "rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep" (ESV
Bible, 2001, Rom. 12:15). To weep and cry in this context requires that one would put
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION CONCEPTS 3
themselves in the victim's shoes and imagine life from their perspective. Jesus also emphasizes
empathy: He requests Christians to treat others as they wish to be treated since that is the law's
requirement and the command of the prophets (ESV Bible, 2001, Mat. 7:12). These verses have
implications for therapy because they encourage workers to abide by the principles of empathy
dictated by France and Weikel.
Another aspect that promotes effective change is the demonstration of warmth towards a
client. According to France and Weikel (2019), one of the most essential aspects of warmth is the
ability of a worker to realize that the client is a human worthy of respect. Warmth enables the
worker to see the client beyond their mistakes, which does not mean that the worker must agree
with the client. However, it enables the worker to recognize the values and beliefs of the client.
While expressing warmth, workers should ensure that they do not let it prevent them from
encouraging clients to be conscious of their behavior. Most importantly, demonstrating warmth
lets workers show clients that they care about their wellbeing.
Workers establish a therapeutic alliance with clients in the human services field using the
principle of warmth. Warmth would enable workers to realize the reality of the clients' deepest
emotions regardless of whether they are negative or positive. For example, Petersen (2007)
argues that the more enjoyable alternative would be to acknowledge one's expectations instead of
using avoidance after noticing that one is angry. Most of the time, anger comes as a result of
disappointment. Therefore, human service workers should establish a client's expectations versus
the reality of their situation. Furthermore, as asserted by France and Weikel (2019), warmth
encourages workers to see beyond clients' mistakes. Therefore, workers must ensure that they
listen and acknowledge such weaknesses but provide suggestions that could cultivate proactive
solutions.
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION CONCEPTS 4
Additionally, therapists are often called upon to be genuine with their clients. According
to France and Weikel (2019), "when you are genuine, you are truthful in what you say to the
person. But genuineness does not compel you to say everything you are thinking" (p. 60).
Therefore a genuine worker will maintain the highest standard of honesty with the clients while
ensuring they do not say everything they wish. However, the principle of genuineness also
requires that workers are honest enough so that they do not feign understanding. Therefore, if
they fail to understand a client's points, it is proper that they seek more clarification as opposed
to pretending that they have clearly understood what was said.
Although this reflection has been informed by scholarly research on warmth, empathy,
and genuineness, my position within Carbonell's DISC also influences my communication. I
have major character traits that may either partially or fully fit within any of the letters in the
DISC. Still, I am confident that this piece of writing was mostly inspired by the need to get
results (D personality). Serving clients in the human services field requires a high level of
confidence since such an aspect of personality would quickly provide room for a client's trust in
the therapy. In addition, I believe that clients are often more cooperative when they realize that
the expert helping them understands their work and is serious about attaining the best results
regardless of the scenario. Therefore, my communication skills revolve around confidence and
the need to attain the best possible results for clients.
Overall, workers in the world of human services must use various techniques to
demonstrate empathy, warmth, and genuineness when dealing with clients. They ought to use
practical reflection as the primary aspect of showing empathy. Similarly, they must demonstrate
that they value the beliefs and values of their clients while demonstrating warmth. Also, they
should be genuine enough by showing sincerity but ensuring they do not say everything just
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION CONCEPTS 6
References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV online. https://esv.literalword.com/.
France, K., & Weikel, K. (2019).FHelping Skills for Human Service Workers: Building
Relationships and Encouraging Productive Change. Charles C Thomas Publisher.
Petersen, J. (2007).FWhy Don't We Listen Better? Communicating & Connecting in
Relationships. James C. Petersen.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
