1.7: Therapeutic Communication

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Module Outline, Learning Outcomes and Concepts

This module aligns with key elements of APNA’s “Communication Theory and Interpersonal Skills” (American Psychiatric Nurses Association Education Council, Undergraduate Branch, 2022).

Module Outline

Therapeutic Communication
Non-Therapeutic Communication

Module Learning Outcomes

Summarize therapeutic communication techniques
Summarize non-therapeutic communication techniques

Concepts

Therapeutic Communication
Empathy
Rapport

Overview

This module will review therapeutic communication techniques for non-therapeutic communication techniques. Nurses use therapeutic communication and empathy to cultivate rapport and a therapeutic relationship with patients. Below is an overview of therapeutic versus non-therapeutic communication strategies.

See Sharma and Gupta (2022) for further reading.

Therapeutic Communication Strategies

Sharma and Gupta (2022) summarize therapeutic communication strategies. These include:

Open-ended questions-ask open ended questions to learn more about the patient and enable a free-flow of information exchange; closed-ended questions can be used to focus on specific information
Active listening-active listening involves behaviors such as making eye-contact and nodding
Non-verbal indicators-be mindful of non-verbal indicators such as looking frequently at the clock/watch, toe-tapping, having an open body stance
Silence-sitting with a patient during a difficult time and listening without interruption can be therapeutic
Reflecting-the nurse repeats the patient’s communication back to them; encourages the patient to reflect on their feelings

Non-Therapeutic Communication Strategies

Summarization of Sharma and Gupta’s (2022) non-therapeutic communication include:

Value judgements/Approval/Disapproval-avoid interjecting one’s biases and judgements, providing approval or disapproval of the patient’s thoughts or actions
Negative body language-avoid crossing arms, appearing distracting, and standing over the patient during engagement/conversation
Advice-avoid providing a patient advice on recommended action(s)
False reassurance-avoid false reassurance; can lead to mistrust, especially in the case that an expected outcome is not realized

Level Up RN. (2022). Nurse/client relationship, therapeutic communication-psychiatric mental health nursing [Video]. YouTube. https://youtube.com/watch?v=t_59thyr...SIkaIECMiOmarE

Key Takeaways

You should have learned the following in this section:

Use of therapeutic communication techniques and empathy helps the nurse build rapport and a therapeutic relationship with the patient
Non-therapeutic communication actions can erode a therapeutic relationship