Communication occurs through verbal and nonverbal methods. Psychologists use communication tools to enhance and build upon the natural communication process. MayoClinic.com notes that therapists use communication tools to build communication skills in their clients, mediate conflicts and let clients reflect by allowing sessions to pass with bouts of silence.
Using "I"
Psychologists teach the use of "I" statements to their clients as a way to share how they feel about something with others. "I" statements is a communication tool that helps people feel as though they are not attacked by others, thereby reducing their defensiveness and allowing them to work on their problems.
Silence
The therapist often remains silent during a counseling session after the patient has stopped talking or after asking a question of the patient. Silence is an effective and recommended tool of communication in the field of psychology.
People generally have the urge to fill silences with words or continued questioning, but silences are meant to be used so that people will have time to think and reflect on their thoughts before they share them.
Silence generally encourages a person to provide deeper and fuller answers to questions. Also, when a person stops a statement, and a therapist allows for silence, the person generally begins talking again, providing further explanations and clarifications for his thoughts and actions.
Listening
Listening actively is an essential communication tool used in psychology. According to HelpGuide.org, effective listening techniques include restating what was said, paraphrasing, asking for clarification, asking questions, reflecting on the person's feelings and validating what the person said. Active listening helps to ensure that all the information that a person provides is heard and understood.
Psychologists often teach the technique of active listening to their patients. This allows them to use the skills to resolve future conflicts and build understanding relationships with others.
Encouragement
To communicate that a patient is heard and what she is saying is accepted, psychologists use techniques--a nod of the head, a verbal "yes" or a statement telling the person to go on--that encourage patients to continue to share information. These all help keep a patient sharing, giving the psychologist time to glean more information.
Confrontation
When a person says one thing, but does another, psychologists will often confront this behavior. Confronting allows the psychologist to inform the person that the psychologist is aware of the discrepancy, pointing out the problem to the person who may be unaware that his actions differ from his words.
Observing
Psychologists watch the whole person when interacting with patients, and then point out what they observe. When clients say that they are fine, but avoid eye contact, psychologists will communicate the difference to the clients and ask why there is a difference.
Translating observations into points of communication can be extremely effective for getting a client to share deeper information, and builds trust between the client and the psychologist.
Member Comments