Therapeutic Communication to Psychiatric Nursing Students
Therapeutic communication used in psychiatric nursing is a concept where a nurse-client relationship is constructed through communication. Therapeutic communication is broken down into categories and used both verbally and non-verbally. Nursing students studying psychiatric nursing are required to learn these concepts.
- Offering self: This concept is basically the nurse making his or herself available for communication with the patient.
- Encouraging comparisons: The nurse requests that the patient determine the similarities and differences between his or herself and the nurse.
- Restating: Basically this is a method of informing the patient that the words spoken were not comprehendible.
- Focusing: This method is used to direct the attention of the patient toward one item.
- Clarification and validation: This concept is designed to develop mutual understanding and to fully explain concepts in a manner that is comprehendible for both the patient and the nurse.
- Recognition: This method is used to inform the patient that the nurse fully understands the patient and that the patient comprehends exactly what the nurse has communicated to her or him.
- Presenting reality: This concept is used to explain to the patient what is real and what is not. This concept is used to attempt to keep the patient in reality and preventing straying into a fantasy world.
- Exploring: This is an open discussion to aid the patient in discovering new concepts and ideas. The nurse fully explains these concepts that are interesting to the patient.
- Formulating action plans: This method is used to control rage and anger. It also helps keep the patient calm and to prevent anxiety attacks.