Therapeutic Communication

A uniquely practical guide and widely adopted text, this book shows precisely what therapists can say at key moments to enhance the process of healing and change. Paul Wachtel explains why some communications in therapy are particularly effective, while others that address essentially the same content may actually be countertherapeutic. He offers clear and specific guidelines for how to ask questions and make comments in ways that facilitate collaborative exploration and promote change. Illustrated with vivid case examples, the book is grounded in an integrative theory that draws from features of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, and experiential approaches. New to This Edition * Reflects nearly 20 years of advances in the field and refinements of the author's approach. *Broader audience: in addition to psychodynamic therapists, cognitive-behavioral therapists and others will find specific, user-friendly recommendations. *Chapter on key developments and convergences across different psychotherapeutic approaches. *Chapter on the therapeutic implications of attachment theory and research. See also Wachtel's Relational Theory and the Practice of Psychotherapy, which explores a new direction in psychoanalytic thought that can expand and deepen clinical practice.

The Second Edition of Herschel Knapp’s Therapeutic Communication: Developing Professional Skills provides beginners and seasoned professionals with the skills to navigate the facts and feelings endemic to professional therapeutic communication. With a comprehensive perspective, Dr. Knapp clearly and effectively explains differences between casual and therapeutic relationships, focusing on key elements such as the therapeutic process, social and emotional factors, and professionalism. Organized into discrete sections to highlight individual skills, each chapter follows a unified format, encouraging readers to apply their knowledge frequently. “Students often struggle with core concepts related to therapy. This book takes those struggles and clears up any doubts about the basics and guides them toward becoming experts in their field.” —Daniel Velazquez, Cetys Universidad “Whether you’re a therapist or a high school counselor, the skills outlined and described in [this book] are paramount to the success of any helping relationship.” —Lisa Clark Keith, Fresno Pacific University “I was inspired by Dr. Knapp’s ability to capture the emotions, techniques, and skills necessary to have a successful helping relationship in an easy to follow manner . . . the text takes the reader from the beginning to the end of a counseling relationship seamlessly . . . Students will find the straightforward nature of the book a staple of their professional library. This is the type of text you keep close at hand throughout your professional career.” —Shawn P. Parmanand, Walden University

This volume deals with universal processes of therapeutic communication, a term which covers whatever exchange goes on between people who have a therapeutic intent, with an emphasis upon the empirical observation of the communicative process. -- Preface.

This fully updated Fifth Edition explores the full psychiatric nursing curriculum, from theoretical foundations to application of interventions for commonly encountered disorders. The focus is on treatment modalities, nursing care, therapeutic communication, and self-awareness. The built-in study guide helps reinforce student learning and knowledge retention. Abundant features highlight the most pertinent learning concepts.

Throughout the book, the authors focus on the basic skills thatfacilitate communications in therapy (empathy, respect,authenticity, relating in the here-and-now, and confrontation) andexplore specific methods of using them. These skills--whichresearch shows are crucial to effective therapy--enable therapistsand counselors to * Empathize in a caring way with the feelings of clients * Become receptive to clients in a warm, respectful, andnonjudgmental way * Constructively share feelings with clients in a natural, openmanner * Therapeutically utilize moment-to-moment, here-and-nowinteraction * Make clients aware of their inconsistencies and discrepancieswithout arousing antagonism or defensiveness

Written in a clear and concise style, this jargon-free text provides student clinicians with the practice principles and fundamental communication skills used to facilitate effective therapeutic communication with clients. Organized into discrete sections to highlight one skill at a time, each chapter follows a unified format including an overview of the skill (e.g., empathy, reflection, validation, etc.); rationale for use; exemplary dialogue between therapist and client demonstrating actual usage of the skill; tutorial commentary embedded in the dialogue example; dialogue debriefing; and suggestions for variations.

This new textbook is designed to provide students with all the necessary tools to effectively communicate with patients and other health care professionals. With its easy-to-read style, it is loaded with useful tips to help students engage into the practice of communication. It presents condensed amounts of content for learning the basic principles and then integrating elements such as case scenarios, questions, or hints and tips to encourage application of those principles into real-life situations. Easy-to-read style provides practical information, hints, and tips. Test Your Communication IQ boxes provide students with a short self-assessment test at the beginning of each chapter. Spotlight on Future Success boxes provide students with useful, practical tips for improving communication. Taking the Chapter to Work boxes integrated within each chapter are actual case examples with useful tips to guide students to practice and apply what they have learned. Beyond the Classroom Activities exercises at the end of each chapter help students use knowledge learned from topics presented in the chapter. Check Your Comprehension exercises at the end of each chapter provide questions and activities to test student knowledge of chapter content. Communication Surfer Exercises focus on helping students utilize Internet resources to improve their knowledge and application of communication skills. Expanding Critical Thinking at the end of each chapter provides students with additional questions or activities designed to apply critical thinking skills. Legal Eagle boxes provide useful tips that focus on honesty, as well as ethical and legal communication between patients and health care workers. Unique, interactive CD-ROM, packaged with the textbook, includes a variety of application exercises, such as voice mail messages, patient/caregiver interviews, chapter key points, and patient charts. Audio segments on the CD-ROM provide communication in action to help students observe verbal communication examples and apply their skills.

A uniquely practical guide and widely adopted text, this book shows precisely what therapists can say at key moments to enhance the process of healing and change. Paul Wachtel explains why some communications in therapy are particularly effective, while others that address essentially the same content may actually be countertherapeutic. He offers clear and specific guidelines for how to ask questions and make comments in ways that facilitate collaborative exploration and promote change. Illustrated with vivid case examples, the book is grounded in an integrative theory that draws from features of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, and experiential approaches. New to This Edition * Reflects nearly 20 years of advances in the field and refinements of the author's approach. *Broader audience: in addition to psychodynamic therapists, cognitive-behavioral therapists and others will find specific, user-friendly recommendations. *Chapter on key developments and convergences across different psychotherapeutic approaches. *Chapter on the therapeutic implications of attachment theory and research. See also Wachtel's Relational Theory and the Practice of Psychotherapy, which explores a new direction in psychoanalytic thought that can expand and deepen clinical practice.