Methods of Therapeutic Communication

People sometimes seek help for life problems from a professional, hoping that he can find a way to ease their suffering and return to normal functioning. Communication is at the heart of this process, allowing the counselor to assess the nature and extent of the problem, develop a plan for therapy and work with clients toward solutions. Therapeutic communication methods, when used in the context of a trusting, productive helping relationship, enable the desired change to occur.

Active Listening

• The importance of truly listening to clients cannot be underestimated. Although this might not seem like communication at first glance, consider what message is sent when someone clearly is not paying attention to what you are saying. Active listening involves making eye contact, leaning forward slightly, nodding and even silence to communicate your full attention. Focusing entirely on what clients are saying, are not saying or are revealing through nonverbal means not only provides valuable information, but also shows clients you are fully present in the moment with them.

Questions

• Asking questions shows interest and gathers the information you need as a helper. Closed questions can be answered with "yes," "no" or a brief answer, and they are appropriate for gathering specific information. Open questions encourage clients to explore their thoughts and feelings and to clarify what has been said. These questions are more often used in therapy because they allow deeper exploration of the problem and help clients to examine facets they may not have thought about.

Reflections/Restatements

• Because communication is an imperfect process, it is important to check our understanding of what we have heard. Restatements consist of paraphrasing what clients have said in a way that is clearer and more concise. This allows clients to clarify mistaken impressions and truly hear what they are saying. Reflections of feeling focus on emotion rather than content, helping clients identify what they are feeling. They also communicate acceptance of clients' emotions, fostering an environment in which they can express themselves openly.

Challenges/Interpretations

• Beyond exploration, therapy involves promoting insight into the problem. Challenges are a way to encourage the client's deeper understanding of their fears, desires, struggles and emotions. For example, "You say you want to study music, but you don't practice. What that's about?" Interpretations, on the other hand, go beyond what the client has said by highlighting patterns, themes and connections noted by the helper. "I wonder if your procrastination is related to a fear of failure" is one example of an interpretation.

Self-Disclosure

• When used appropriately, disclosing when you have experienced a similar problem and how you handled it can be quite healing for clients. Self-disclosures allow clients to see possible ways to address their problems, help them understand what they are feeling and minimize the power differences in the relationship to stimulate their full participation in problem-solving. With the intention to assist the client and foster insight, occasional self-disclosure can be beneficial.