1.7: Therapeutic Communication
- Page ID
- 70757
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\ket}[1]{\left| #1 \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\bra}[1]{\left< #1 \right|}\)
\(\newcommand{\braket}[2]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2} \right| \left. #2 \vphantom{#1} \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\braopket}[3]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2}\vphantom{#3} \right| #2 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#3} \left| #3 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#2} \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\qmvec}[1]{\mathbf{\vec{#1}}}\)
\(\newcommand{\op}[1]{\hat{\mathbf{#1}}}\)
\(\newcommand{\expect}[1]{\langle #1 \rangle}\)
\(\newcommand{\dfn}[1]{\emph{\textbf{#1}}}\)
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
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