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Acknowledging
giving nonjudgmental recognition to a client for certain behavior or indicating attention to and care of a client
belittling
devaluing a client's message
non-therapeutic
changing the topic
ignoring the intent of the communication and shifting the topic
non-therapeutic
Offering self
offering nurse's presence without attaching expectations or conditions on client's behavior during that time
Giving information
sharing facts, time of events, and so on
Advising
imposing nurse's solutions onto client's concerns
non-therapeutic
Broad opening/exploring
offering a general comment or question that will allow a range of answers
Restating/paraphrasing
ensuring that the nurse understands the message that was sent by repeating the main thought of the message
overuse of medical jargon
using terms and phrases that are difficult for lay people to understand
non-therapeutic
self-disclosing
sharing the nurse's own experience instead of focusing on the client's
non-therapeutic
Using silence
deliberately listening without making verbal responses
Giving recognition
making some positive observation about the client
Asking either/or or mulitple questions
non-therapeutic
false reassurance
giving a quick response that relieves the nurse's anxiety but does not address the client's concern; can break the bond
non-therapeutic
Focusing
helping client address pertinent information
sequencing
establishing the order of events or thoughts
being inattentive
having focus of attention on something or someone rather than the client; conveys that the client's needs are not important
non-therapeutic
challenging the client/being defensive
using opposing language with the client; creates a power struggle between client and nurse
non-therapeutic
Reflecting
directing the client's thought back to the client to encourage further communication
parroting
repeating the client's words
non-therapeutic
using cliches
responding with overly used statements that don't take into consideration the individual, event, or circumstances
non-therapeutic
Validating perceptions
using inferences from observed client behaviors or words to ask for more information from the client
suggesting collaboration
offering to assist the client in practicing a technique or tool
asking for additional information to ensure understanding
imposing values
answering from the nurse's perspective and not considering how the client might feel or view things
summarizing
sorting out and identifying information and topics that have been shared in a conversation or interview
Giving encouragement
providing unobtrusive comments that do not interrupt the client's thought