psych: communication

THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION

Communication

- Interaction between two or more people involving exchange of information between the sender and receiver
- The product of communication is message interpreted by the receiver
- Channels of communication: Verbal and Nonverbal


Verbal Communication

- Use of words. Content and context of words should be assessed
1. Written – ex: documents, mail, e-mail, records, text messaging
- Considerations: language, grammar, legibility of hand writing,
2. Spoken – consider: timbre and tone, rate and emphasis of speech, body language, mannerisms, emotion


Nonverbal Communication

- Monitor if congruent and incongruent to spoken words.
1. Kinesthetic/ gestures
2. Proxemics -
Distance zones (Hall 1966)
• Intimate zone: 0-18 inches
• Personal zone: 18-36 inches
• Social zone: 4-12 feet, therapeutic relationship happens
• Public zone:12-25 feet, sender and receiver remains strangers
3. Touch
5 types of touch (Knapp 1980)
• Functional professional
• Social polite
• Friendship warmth
• Love intimacy
• Sexual arousal

4. Cultural artifacts
5. Position – sitting position, posture
6. Physical appearance
7. Facial expressions
8. Vocal cues



Therapeutic Communication

- Focuses on the client needs and problems
- It is planned and directed
- Confidentiality is respected but information the professional nurse must share information to the treatment team



How to develop therapeutic communication skills?

1. Know yourself
2. Be honest
3. Be secure in ability to relate to people- don’t let behavior of others threaten or intimidate you
4. Be sensitive to the needs of others
5. Be consistent
6. Recognize symptoms of anxiety
7. Watch your nonverbal movements
8. Use words carefully
9. Recognize differences
10. Recognize and evaluate your actions and responses