Non-verbal communication can help show your support when listening to a friend, family member or loved one about their mental health. Effective interpersonal skills are central to a mental health nurse’s ability to form a sound therapeutic alliance and to the role of mental health nurses (Peplau, 1952). It forces patients to think about the sequence of events and may prompt them to remember something they otherwise wouldn’t. Therapeutic communication is often most effective when patients direct the flow of conversation and decide what to talk about. * Learn strategies to communicate effectively about mental health in workplace. Therapeutic communication is a collection of techniques that prioritize the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of patients. Ending a summary with a phrase like “Does that sound correct?” gives patients explicit permission to make corrections if they’re necessary. Nurses, mental health professionals and other health care professionals use therapeutic communication during each patient interaction, whether educating the patient or … Therapeutic communication techniques are methods the psychiatric nurse can use to communicate with the patient so that the communication focuses on addressing the patient’s clinical problems. By encouraging them to make comparisons, nurses can help patients discover solutions to their problems. There are a variety opens of therapeutic communication techniques nurses can incorporate into practice. A compliment can sometimes be taken as condescending, especially when it concerns a routine task like making the bed. Mental illness in a family can affect every one who lives with the person. *Updated! A goal of therapeutic communication is for the patient to have the opportunity to express themself freely with the psychiatric nurse. Visit Hope and Healing Center & Institute; A comprehensive, faith-based mental health resource serving the Houston community and beyond ... An independent 501c3 non-profit organization housed on the St. Martin’s campus, the HHCI is a comprehensive mental health resource serving the Houston community and beyond. Therapeutic communication techniques are methods the psychiatric nurse can use to communicate with the patient so that the communication focuses on addressing the patient’s clinical problems. One of the main ways nurses establish trust with patients is through communication. Communication Techniques. Nurses can ask patients what they think they should do, which encourages patients to be accountable for their own actions and helps them come up with solutions themselves. Saying something like “I’m not sure I understand. Similar to active listening, asking patients for clarification when they say something confusing or ambiguous is important. You are currently running an old version of Internet Explorer that does not support some of the features on this site. Communication in mental health nursing is an essential component of all therapeutic interventions. Non-verbal communication can help show your support when listening to a friend, family member or loved one about their mental health. Start studying Mental health: Communication Techniques. Mental health: Communication Techniques questionAccepting (4) TCT answer- "I can imagine how that might feel" - "That's understandable." However, saying something like “I noticed you took all of your medications” draws attention to the action and encourages it without requiring a compliment. M.O.V.E. Good interpersonal skills are what each mental health nurse needs to make nursing happen. Mental Health: Communication Strategies FREE! Nurses can offer general leads such as “What happened next?” to guide the conversation or propel it forward. Hospital stays can be lonely, stressful times; when nurses offer their time, it shows they value patients and that someone is willing to give them time and attention. This demonstrates to patients that the nurse was listening and allows the nurse to document conversations. At times, it’s useful to not speak at all. From the online BSN to online DNP, the programs provide nurses with a challenging, flexible learning environment that accommodates personal and work schedules. Start studying Mental health: Communication Techniques. By using nonverbal and verbal cues such as nodding and saying “I see,” nurses can encourage patients to continue talking. With therapeutic communication, nurses often use open-ended statements and questions, repeat information, or use silence to prompt patients to work through problems on their own. Nurses provide patients with support and information while maintaining a level of professional distance and objectivity. Voicing doubt can be a gentler way to call attention to the incorrect or delusional ideas and perceptions of patients. Active listening. 1. Often, patients can draw upon experience to deal with current problems. Deliberate silence can give both nurses and patients an opportunity to think through and process what comes next in the conversation. This chapter examines the verbal and non-verbal communication skills that are most relevant to mental health nursing, and illustrates how each skill can be used in practice. It’s frequently useful for nurses to summarize what patients have said after the fact. Rivier University’s online nursing degrees teach the communication skills needed to excel in nursing. It is an important part of building a therapeutic interpersonal relationship, explains "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing". Offering to stay for lunch, watch a TV show, or simply sit with patients for a while can help boost their mood. Active listening involves showing interest in what patients have to say, acknowledging that you’re listening and understanding, and engaging with them throughout the conversation. Can you explain it to me?” helps nurses ensure they understand what’s actually being said and can help patients process their ideas more thoroughly. With therapeutic communication, nurses often use open-ended statements and questions, repeat …