Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Silence
Sitting with client and nonverbally communicating interest and presence
Listening
Maintain eye contact and have open, receptive body posture
Broad Opening
“What would you like to talk about?” “What are you thinking?”
Restating
“You say the voices are telling you to hurt yourself?”
Clarification
“I’m not sure what you mean; could you tell me again?”
Reflection
“You’re feeling upset, and it’s related to a conversation with your wife?”
Focusing
“That is a lot, what you would you like to focus on right now?”
Sharing Perceptions
“You’re smiling, yet you say you’re very angry.”
Accepting
“Yes, I follow what you said.”
Identifying
“I’ve noticed that…. Do you think this is an underlying issue?”
Offering Self
“I’ll sit with you awhile.”
General Leads
“Go on…”
Summarizing
“Have I got this straight?”
Limit Setting
“You’re slipping into your aggressive tone again. Try again”
Non-Therapeutic Communication Techniques
Reassuring
“I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Giving approval
“That’s good, I’m glad for you.”
Rejecting
“Let’s not discuss that…I don’t want to hear about that.”
Disapproving
“That is bad…I would rather you didn’t….”
Agreeing
“That’s right…I agree.”
Advising
“I think you should….”
Challenging
“But how can you be the President?”
Testing
“Do you still have the idea that…”
Indicating external source
“What makes you think that….Who told you that you were Jesus?”
Belittling the feelings
“Everyone gets down in the dumps.”
Using Denial
“Of course you are worthwhile.” “Don’t be silly.”
Introducing unrelated topic
(Changing the subject)