Therapeutic Communication

Technique
TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Using silence Accepting pauses Sitting quietly (or
or silences that walking with the
may extend for client) and waiting
several seconds or attentively until the
minutes without client is able to put
interjecting any thoughts and
verbal response. feelings into words.
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Providing general Using statements or “Can you tell me how
leads questions that (a) it is for you?”
encourage the client
to verbalize, (b) “Perhaps you would
choose a topic of like to talk about….”
conversation, and (c)
facilitate continued “Would it help to
verbalization. discuss your
feelings?”

“Where would you

like to begin?”

“And then what?”

 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Being specific and Making statements “Rate your pain on a
tentative that are specific scale of 0-10”.
rather than general, (specific statement)
and tentative rather
than absolute. “Are you in pain?”
(general statement)

“You seem
unconcerned about
your labor?”
(tentative statement)

“You don’t care about

your baby and you will
never will” (absolute
statement)
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Using open-ended Asking broad questions “I’d like to hear more
question that lead or invite the about that.”
client to explore
thoughts and feelings. “Tell me about….”
Open-ended question
specify only the topic to “How have you been
be discussed and invite feeling lately?”
answers that are longer
than one or two words. “What brought you to
the hospital?”

“What is you opinion?”

“You said you were

frightened yesterday.
How do you feel now?”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Using touch Providing Putting an arm
appropriate forms over the client’s
of touch to shoulder.
reinforce caring
feelings. Placing your hand
over the client’s
hand.
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Restating or paraphrasing Actively listening for the Client: “I couldn’t manage
client’s basic message and to eat any dinner last
then repeating those night-not even the
thoughts and /or feelings dessert.”
in similar words.
Midwife “You had difficulty
eating yesterday.”

Client: “Yes, I was very

upset after my family left.”

Client: “I have trouble

talking with the strangers.”

Midwife:”You find it
difficult talking to people
you do not know?”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Seeking Clarification A method of making the “I’m puzzled.”
client’s broad overall
meaning of the message “I’m not sure I
more understandable. understand that”

“Would you please say

that again?”

“Would you tell me

more?”

“I meant this rather than

that.”

“I’m sorry that wasn’t

very clear.

Let me try o explain

another way.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Perception checking A method similar to Client: “My husband
or seeking consensual clarifying that verifies never gives me any
validation the meaning of presents.”
specific words rather
than the overall Midwife:”You mean
meaning of a he has never given
message. you a present for your
birthday or
Christmas?”

Client: “Well not ever.

He does get me
something for my
birthday and
Christmas, but he
never thinks of giving
me anything at any
other time.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Offering self Suggesting one’s “I’ll stay with you
presence, interest, until your husband
or wish to arrives.”
understand the
client without “We can sit here
making any quietly for awhile;
demands or we don’t need to
attaching talk unless you
conditions that the would like to.”
client must comply
with to receive the “I’ll help you to
nurse’s attention. dress to go home, if
you like.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Giving information Providing in a “Your ultrasound is
simple and direct scheduled for 8am
manner, specific tomorrow.”
factual information
the client may or
may not request.
“I do not know the
answer to that, but
I will find out from
Dr. Yap, the
Obstetrician in
charge.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Acknowledging Giving recognition, in “You trimmed your
a non judgmental fingernails and
way, of a change in removed your nail
behavior, an effort polish.”
the client has made,
or a contribution to a “I noticed you keep
communication. squinting your eyes.
Are you having
difficulty seeing?”

“You took a bath

early today
compared to
previous days.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Clarifying time or Helping the client Client:”I vomited this
sequence clarify an event, morning.”
situation, or
happening in Midwife:”Was that
relationship to time. after breakfast?”

Client:”I feel that I

have been asleep for
weeks.”

Midwife:”You had
delivered a bouncing
baby boy early this
morning.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Presenting reality Helping the client “That telephone
to differentiate the ring came from the
real from the program on
unreal. television.”

“I see shadows
from the window
coverings.”

“Your magazine is
here in the drawer
.It has not been
stolen.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Focusing Helping the client Client:”My husband
expand on and says he will look after
develop a topic of me, but I don’t think
importance. he can, what with
the children to take
It is important for care of, and they’re
the midwife to wait always after him
until the client about something---
finishes stating the clothes, homework,
main concerns what’s for dinner
before attempting to that night.”
focus.
Midwife: “Sounds
like you are worried
about how well he
can manage.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Reflecting Directing ideas, Client: “What can I
feelings, questions, do?”
or content back to
clients to enable Midwife: “What do
them to explore you think would be
their own ideas and helpful?”
feelings about a
situation. Client: “Do you
think I should tell
my husband?”

Midwife:”You seem
unsure about
telling your
husband.”
 TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES
Summarizing and Stating the main “During the past
planning points of a hour we have
discussion to clarify talked about…”
the
relevant points
discussed. “In a few days I’ll
review what you
have learned about
the actions and
effects of your iron
intake.”