Therapeutic Communication Techniques Examples

Nurse: "Several times you have mentioned about the argument you had."

Acknowledging

Nurse's position of sitting, leaning forward, paying attention and being responsive

Active listening

Patient: "I'm way out in the ocean." Nurse: "You must be feeling very lonely right now." Nurse: "Do you mean you're feeling angry when you say you're pissed off?"

Attempting to translate words into feelings

Nurse: "What would you like to talk about today?" "How are you doing today?" "Tell me what you are thinking?"

Broad opening

"Im not sure that I understand. Would you please explain." "Tell me if my understanding agrees with yours." "Do I understand correctly that you said...?"

Clarifying & validating

"Do you get violent when you feel overwhelmed?"

Close-ended question

"Whatever we talk about is confidential however if it's your safety I'll need to..."

Confidentiality

"I can understand how you would be disappointed about not getting that job."

Empathizing

"Tell me what is happening now." "Are you hearing the voices again?" "What do the voices seem to be saying?" Nurse: "What was happening at home that cause you to be hospitalized?" Patient: "I stopped the meds because I didn't need those drugs." Nurse: "You stopped taking the medicine, what happened that you were brought to the hospital?"

Encouraging a description of perception

"Please explain that situation in more detail." "Tell me more about that particular situation." Patient: "I'm strong, I can handle my stress." Nurse: "How are you able to handle the stress?"

Exploring

"This point seems worth looking at more closely. Perhaps you and I can discuss it together." Patient: "I was thinking all these thoughts, my mind was racing, the sleeping pill helped me relax." Nurse: "Let's talk more about what kind of thoughts you were having?"

Focusing

"You seem tense." "I notice you are pacing a lot." "You seem uncomfortable when you..." "I noticed you looked away when you were talking about the abuse, are you feeling ashamed?"

Identifying behaviors & sharing observations

"Hello Ms. Bailey, my name is Mark and I will be your nurse today..."

Introducing self and role

"What is meant by the proverb don't count your chickens before they hatch?"

Open-ended question

Patient: "My brother had weed that walked me out, my father called the cops, I ran out of my meds, my brother told me it was good stuff..." Nurse: "I'm confused about what you're telling me. Let start with what happened first" "What seemed to lead up to...?" "Was this before or after..." "When did this happen?"

Placing events in time &/or sequence

"I understand that the voices seem real to you, but I do not hear any voices." "There is no one else in the room but you and me."

Presenting reality

Patient: "What's that pill you're giving me?" Nurse: "The name of this medication is Celexa, for your depression."

Providing information

Patient: "Yeah the meds help, my new job is really great..." Nurse: "Before you continue, let's go back and talk about more about how the Zyphrexa has helped."

Redirecting & refocusing

Patient: "I'm feeling better, I want to go home." Nurse: "You said you're feeling better?"

Reflecting

Patient: "I can't study. My mind keeps wandering." Nurse: "You have trouble concentrating." Patient: I can't take that new job. What if I can't do it?" Nurse: "You're afraid you will fail in this new position." Nurse: "In other words, when you say there's nothing to do, are you feeling bored?"

Restating and paraphrasing

Patient: "I need to talk to you right now." Nurse: "I will speak with you after group is finished."

Setting limits

"Let's stop for now and review what we discussed..."

Summarizing

Nurse sitting quietly next to patient who is not speaking

Therapeutic silence

"I understand that you believe that to be true, but I see the situation differently." "I find that hard to believe or accept." "That seems rather doubtful to me." Patient: "I wasn't doing anything wrong, I was just minding my own business and they took me here." Nurse: "Thats not my understanding of how you came to be hospitalized."

Voicing doubt