Therapeutic Communication

1. Therapeutic Communication http://youtu.be/nhe0KSGoUgc

2. Communication • Most powerful tool in psychiatric nursing • Method used to activate the nursing process • Foundation of the nurse-client relationship • Dynamic process in which two or more people share information.

3. Effective Communication • Major factor in determining client: • Satisfaction • Treatment Compliance • Recovery • Essential to overall outcome

4. Model of Communication Process

5. Purposes of Communication • Facilitate self expression to promote healthy growth • Understand the significance of the patient’s problems • To assist with the identification and resolution of the problems

6. Factors that Influence Communication • Environment • Relationship between the sender and receiver • Content and context of message • Attitude, values, & beliefs • Ethnic background and socioeconomic status • Family dynamics, life experiences • Knowledge level • Ability to relate to others • 

7. Modes of Communication Verbal Nonverbal Written

8. Written Communication • Primarily used to share information • Nurse must be precise and accurate • Organize ideas clearly, write legibly, proper grammar • Document in objective, clear, and concise terms

9. Verbal Communication • Spoken words • May mean different things to different people • Figures of speech, slang, jokes, clichés, & colloquialisms

10. Cultural Considerations • Develop sensitivity to cultural aspects of communication • Examine cues from nonverbal responses

11. Nonverbal Communication • Composes 93% of an communication • Body language • Paralinguistic • Space • Touch • Appearance • 

12. Types of Communication • Intrapersonal • Interpersonal • Social • Collegial • Therapeutic

13. Principles of Therapeutic Communication • Know self • Understand what motivates one to help others • Be in control of own life and emotions • Perform periodic self-evaluation of responses to patient

14. Roles of the Nurse • Role Model • Teacher • Socializer • Advocate • Parent • Counselor • Therapist

15. Traits of Therapeutic Communication • Genuineness • Positive regard • Empathy • Trustworthiness • Clarity • Responsibility • Assertiveness

16. Special Communication Techniques • Self-disclosure • Touch • Humor

17. Active Listening • Sit squarely facing client • Observe an open posture • Lean forward toward client • Establish eye contact • Relax • Remove physical barriers • 

18. Responding Techniques that enhance Therapeutic Communication • Silence • Active listening • Support and reassurance • Sharing observations • Acknowledging feelings • Broad, open-ended statements • Information giving • Interpretation • Restating • Reflecting • Clarifying • Confronting • Summarizing • Role-playing

19. Obstacles to Therapeutic Communication • Resistance • Transference • Countertransference • Boundary violations

20. Challenges in Communication • Legal status/rights • Confidentiality • Informed consent • Brief stays • Physical impairments • Culture, language, & understanding • Difficult clients • Difficult coworkers

21. Process Recording • Time-proven method that provides a written account of nurse/client interactions • Nurse records privately immediately after interaction occurs • Means to analyze the communication • Learning tool for professional development