Therapeutic Communication 

Every day we communicate with others. Whether it’s verbal or nonverbal, communication is an integral part to our understanding. Therapeutic communication is the purposeful use of communication to build and maintain helping relationships with clients, families and significant others. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (NURS 411) is a class I took during the fall semester of my senior year. This class allowed me to interact with patients suffering from mental illnesses. The patients I encountered ranged from struggling with suicide, depression, or schizophrenia.

​

During our simulation for this course, I was given a scenario about a teenage client who tried to commit suicide due to feeling undervalued and her parents going through a divorce. Simulation is used to depict real life situations and as the nurse I am expected to respond with most appropriate actions that will lead to the best outcome. In my role as the nurse, I decided to meet with the mom and talk to her in order to figure out what was going on with her daughter and how we could move forward to ensure that she was safe and would not harm herself. The mom was very loud and belligerent to start. I asked her questions about their home life and then proceeded to explain my rationale. I emphasized the importance of having a mother who shows compassion and empathy  and reminded her that during teenage years, girls need their moms the most. One of the most important components of our conversation was listening. In order to communicate my thoughts, I had to understand where the mother was coming from, but also not overstep my boundaries. Therapeutic communication includes active listening, honesty, and a caring attitude. All of which are important in nursing. If I had of responded rudely or demanded she calmed down, the conversation would not have gone as smoothly. Communication can be easily misinterpreted, whether it’s by tone or body language, therefore it is important as future nurses to be open and honest active listeners so that we can be advocates for our patients and their families.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 Therapeutic communication beyond the classroom is also very important. Last year, a part of our PAL contract was attending the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop (SROW) which was held at the University of Central Florida. This conference was designed provide education, leadership and professional development in the fields of college student orientation, transition and retention. We all met at the USCL campus to load onto a bus with students from a nearby campus. We spent a vast majority of our day together and once reaching Florida we decided to go to waffle house for dinner. We were greeted by students from the campus we rode down with and sat down to order our food. About 15 minutes later our trip was shaken in a way I could have never imagined. One of the students from the other campus was hit by a car while running across the street back to the hotel. I can picture the red and blue lights, the silver car in the trees, and his body lying lifeless on the ground. At the time all the EMTs would say was that he was breathing, but in my heart I knew there wasn’t a good outlook. The screaming cries, holding hands and praying with people I had only known for one day are memories that will always be in my heart. I remember the way one student looked at me as I held her hand tightly and told her that I will stay with her if needed. Therapeutic communication helped me to be empathetic without being overbearing and overstepping boundaries. Using silence is a great part of the therapeutic communication I used that night. It’s the idea that silence can be just as powerful as words and sometimes it’s good to not speak at all. I was sincere with my words and offered hope that they would get through this moment. We stayed outside for about 45 more minutes until he was taken to the hospital. I can still see his black and white checkerboard pants as I write this, and the way he smiled as he exited the Waffle House doors. Empathy is defined as understanding of the feelings, emotions, and behaviors including trying to envision what it must be like in the others position.  It helps to understand the concept of therapeutic communication to know the best way to communicate with people during very difficult times – but also build trust, convey empathy, and utilizing silence which are all important aspects of therapeutic communication.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Therapeutic communication is a vital part of being a great nurse. Being able to show compassion and empathy for people we encounter every day is essential to creating the nurse patient relationship needed to fulfill the end goals. Another beyond the classroom experience that has allowed me to utilize this concept is clinical. During one of my rotations this semesters, I encountered a family who was deciding the pursue palliative care for their relative. Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and physical stresses that life sustaining measures can endure.I ensured that the family knew I was available to talk or if they needed someone to listen. I found myself hugging the granddaughter of the patient because I understood first hand the emotions she was feeling. Therapeutic communication allowed me to be vulnerable during this moment so that the family was able to openly grieve. I was there to give hugs, hand tissues, and engage in the memories of the patient. As I go forward after graduation, I will always remember how words can be just as soothing as touch and that what I say can impact people in various ways.