THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
12. Reflecting – directing back to the patient
1. Using silence – utilizing absence of
communication
2. Accepting – giving indication of reception;
indicating that the nurse has hear and is willing to
hear what the client says.
“Yes”
“Uh hmm”
“I follow what you said”
3. Giving recognition – acknowledging indicating
awareness.
“Good morning, Mr S.”
“ I notice that you combed your hair”
4. Offering self – making oneself available;
introducing self and identifying relationship.
“I’ll sit with you awhile”
I’ll stay here with you”
5. Giving Broad Openings-
Openings- allowing the patient
to take the initiative in introducing the topic; using
open-ended questions that provide opportunity for
the client to introduce topic.
“Is there something you would like to
talk about?”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Where would you like to begin?”
6. Offering General Leads…giving
Leads…giving
encouragement to continue.
“Go on.”
“And then?”
“Tell me about it.”
7. Placing the Event in Time or in Sequence…
Sequence…
clarifying the relationship of events in time.;
assessing time frame and sequence of an event
over time.
“Was this before or after…?”
“When did this happen?”
8. Making Observations…verbalizing
Observations…verbalizing what is
perceived; verbalizing what nurses sees in client’s
appearance and behaviors
“You appear tense.”
“I notice that you’re biting your lips.”
“It makes me uncomfortable when
you…
9. Encouraging Description of Perceptions –
asking the patient to verbalize what he perceives;
having the client describe his/her view of an event
or experience.
“Tell me when you feel anxious”
“What is happening”
“ What does the voice seem to be
saying”
10. Encouraging Comparison – asking that
similarities and differences be noted.
“Was this something like…?
“Have you had similar experience?”
11.
11. Restating – repeating the main idea
expressed.
Patient: “I cant sleep. I stay awake all
night”
Nurse: “You have difficulty sleeping?”
12.
questions, feelings and ideas.
Patient: “Do you think I should tell
the doctor?”
Nurse: “Do you think you should?”
13. Focusing – concentrating on single point
“This point seems worth looking at more
closely.”
14. Exploring – delving further into a subject or
idea
“Tell me more about that..”
“Would you describe it more fully?”
15.
15. Giving Information- making available the
facts that the patient needs.
“My name is….”
“Visiting hours are…”
16.
16. “Seeking Clarification” – seeking to make
clear that which is not meaningful or that which is
vague; trying to clear up confusion about
events or people.
“I’m not sure that I follow.’
“What would you say is the main point of
what you said?”
17.
17. Presenting Reality – offering for
consideration that which is real; giving a realistic
explanation of what the client says or hears.
“I see no one else in the room”
“ Your mother is not here, I’m a
nurse”
18. Voicing Doubt – expressing uncertainty as to
the reality of the patients perception; gently
questioning the reality of the clients perception.
“Isn’t that unusual?”
“Really?”
19. Seeking Consensual Validation – searching
for mutual understanding for accord in the
meaning of the words; two or more people
achieving agreement of interpretation of an
event, behavior or issue.
“Tell me whether my understanding of it
agrees with yours..”
20. Verbalizing the Implied – voicing what the
patient has hinted at or suggested.
Patient: “ I can’t talk to you or to
anyone. It’s a waste of time.”
Nurse : “Is it your feeling that no
understand you?”
21. Encouraging Evaluation – asking the patient
to appraise the quality of his experience.
“ What are your feelings in regard to”
22. Attempting to translate into feelings-feelings-
seeking to verbalize the feelings that are being
expressed only indirectly.
Patient: “I’m dead”
Nurse: Are suggesting that you feel
lifeless? Or is it that life seems without
meaning?”
23. Suggesting Collaboration – offering to share,
to strive, to work together with the patient for his
benefit.
 “Perhaps you and I can discuss and
discover what produces your anxiety”
24. Summarizing – organizing and summing up
that which has gone before.
“Have I got this straight?”
“You’ve said that..”
25. Encouraging Formulation of Plan of
Action- asking the patient to consider kinds of
behavior likely to be appropriate in further
situations; planning appropriate resolution of a
problem in graded steps.