Discussion: Therapeutic Communication Introduction: Therapeutic Techniques in psychiatric nursing

Discussion: Therapeutic Communication Introduction: Therapeutic Techniques in psychiatric nursing

Therapeutic use of self refers to the ability of a person to consciously attempt to establish readiness to structure a nursing intervention. Nurses as care providers need to possess self-understanding and self-awareness about the overall human condition to implement therapeutic use of self (Keltner & Steele, 2018). Therapeutic relationship between nurse and a client requires rapport, respect, genuineness, trust and empathy. Interaction is also enhanced when nurses utilizes effective communication strategies (Bohart & Wade, 2013). Besides, establishing a trusting relationship is important in winning the confidentiality of the client so that they can openly discuss their thoughts and feelings about a given care practice. Nurse-patient relationship is enhanced through communication as well as interaction. Therapeutic techniques enables client to set goals towards achieving a behavioral change that guarantee quality outcomes (Mohammed & Yas, 2016). Nurses ought to understand that certain behaviors occur in clients frequently due to nervous mannerisms or those related to social expectations. A psychiatric nurse need to recognize as well as overcome habitual communication behavior potential in compromising quality care.

First Technique: Techniques Fostering Description

Care setting can be challenging to patients. Nurse should offer self to address the stressful situations encountered by clients. The actions indicate respect and value given to patients for their willingness to participate in therapy. A nurse can offer her time by willing to stay for lunch with the client or request the latter if they could watch television of walk together. These are not acts of submission but the intentions are very clear- to build a rapport with the client so that the avail information necessary for care. Through the interaction with the client, the nurse should employ active listening strategies (Webster, 2014). This entails the use of verbal and non-verbal cues to encourage the client to talk more as a way to reveal all the potential challenges regarding the subject matter of discussion. Active listening also entails having an interest in the information communicated by the client to support an initiative in the change process.

Communication involves participants from both sides providing their views about a given subject matter. As a thumb of rule for communication, the nurse need to establish an environment of positive communication to allow the client seek for clarity in case of a misunderstanding. Nurses should as well probe clients to affirm if the concepts discussed are understood by them (Keltner & Steele, 2018). The level of engagement with the client should offer a chance for the development of change process about a given psychological issue. This only happens when the strategies for change are addressed in a simple but yet clear manner. Clients should also gain recognition that they have been heard. The sessions between the client and the nurse should guarantee acceptance for change in behavior. Nurse and client should make direct eye contact to affirm and confirm that the topics addressed are understood. Patient’s behavior should also be clearly understood by the nurse to enable the latter offer solution that is satisfactory to the former.

Second Technique: Techniques Fostering Analysis and Conclusions

Patients diagnosed with mental conditions may not find it comfortable to communicate their experience. At times, they may not have clear illustrations of the subject matter relating to their behavior. As such, nurse should offer support by making their engagement comfortable. Questions like “What do you hear when you sleep at night?” and “What does that look to you?” should be used commonly to ensure that they communicate their actual feeling. Nurses should encourage them to reveal more of the events or episodes experienced by the clients (Bohart & Wade, 2013). Patients especially those experiencing hallucinations should be encouraged to express their feelings. However, nurses should be non-judgmental about matters expressed by the clients (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). Casting their perception with doubt may also prompt the client from communicating their concern. Encouraging descriptions of perception also involves giving patient hints about manifestations of mental problems. This will enable them indicate if they have experienced any of the symptoms related to hallucination or depression to diagnose a mental health issue.

It is imperative for the client to indicate when they first experienced a mental condition and how long they have batted the problem. Statement like “When did this occur?” and “How long have you experienced the issue?” may form part of the questions when a nurse is assessing time or sequence of events (Keltner & Steele, 2018). Nurse should a