111

6

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, the

student should be able to

1.Describe the goals of thera-
peutic communication.

2.Identify therapeutic and
nontherapeutic verbal
communication skills.

3.Discuss nonverbal commu-
nication skills such as
facial expression, body
language, vocal cues, eye
contact, and understanding
of levels of meaning and
context.

4.Discuss boundaries in
therapeutic communication
with respect to distance
and use of touch.

5.Distinguish between
concrete and abstract
messages.

6.Given a hypothetical situa-
tion, select an effective
therapeutic response to
the client.

Key Terms

abstract messages

active listening

active observation

body language

circumstantiality

cliché

closed body positions

communication

concrete message

congruent message

content

context

contract

cues (overt and covert)

culture

directive role

distance zones

Therapeutic

Communication

eye contact

incongruent message

intimate zone

metaphors

nondirective role

nonverbal communication

personal zone

process

proverbs

proxemics

public zone

religion

social zone

spirituality

therapeutic communication

verbal communication

➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤