Therapeutic communication is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on verbal and non-verbal techniques. Approximately 60 percent of communication is non-verbal and exhibited through facial expressions, voice tone and body posture. Using a variety of communication types allows the health- care professional to gain insight through open communication to find the root cause of your problem and promote both mental and physical well-being.
Listening
The role of listening plays an integral part and requires the use of empathy in therapeutic communication. During the listening phase, the clinician will use different techniques such as reflecting, clarifying and restatement. A subtle technique used commonly is reflection, where a clinician will listen to the patient and rephrase the statement using similar wording. This approach helps the clinician to gain the confidence of the patient and encourages communication.
Clarification and restatement ensures accuracy in all the information transferred from patient to clinician and shows you have her undivided attention. Miscommunication and word transposing hinders the actual thought process of the patient and can lead to misdiagnosis. In addition, having the clinician repeat the information in different words ensures that the information you are communicating is accurate.
Acting
The active phase of therapeutic communication involves the clinician using direct questioning and problem-solving techniques. The clinician will use general leads and facilitate questions and statements to probe for information to find the underlying cause of your problem. In addition, the use of shared observation allows the patient to validate, amend or elaborate on the clinician's observations of behavior. Through shared collaboration, you will work with the clinician to formulate concrete and possible suggestions to assist with the healing process.
Sharing
Connecting with a patient is important when using therapeutic communication techniques. Sometimes, a clinician will share personal experiences to encourage you to engage in open communication and express your own personal experiences and/or problems. In addition, the sharing phase is when the clinician will identify your inconsistencies and contradictions in your thinking. After the exchange of information, the clinician will focus on the behavioral patterns, wrong habits and harmful tendencies exhibited through conversation and will set up a treatment plan that focuses on behavioral change for the better.
Barriers
One negative aspect to therapeutic communication arises when the clinician loses focus and empathy, losing sight of what therapeutic communication does for a patient. This negative approach will close any open communication with the patient that hinders treatment. The various ways to cause barriers include giving advice, false reassurances, being judgmental, excessive questioning, stereotypical comments and self-focusing behavior.
