Interpersonal Communication and Therapeutic Communication

This paper presents a comprehensive reflection on three interpersonal communication techniques and develops knowledge of interpersonal therapeutic communication. This will demonstrate how interpersonal communication is needed in meeting individuals through the identification of scrips and studying the perception via examples from real-world communication.

Interpersonal Communication and Therapeutic Communication 1
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
By (Student’s Name)
Professor’s Name
College
Course
Date

Interpersonal Communication and Therapeutic Communication 2
Interpersonal Communication and Therapeutic Communication
This paper presents a comprehensive reflection on three interpersonal communication
techniques and develops knowledge of interpersonal therapeutic communication. This will
demonstrate how interpersonal communication is needed in meeting individuals through the
identification of scrips and studying the perception via examples from real-world communication
(O'Toole 2016).
By keeping a record of the several interactions which I participated in over a period of
four days, I acknowledged the importance of effective interpersonal communication between
various persons. For instance, I realized the importance of communication in my basic physical
needs when I had to pass my messages of feeling hungry to my parents. I could deliver the
message quickly to my mother since I only had to get to her while at home and instantly express
my need orally.
I also acknowledged the importance of oral communication. This was the first instance I
appreciated the oral technique of interpersonal communication. I also recognized my
interpersonal need for safety as I was getting back home alongside my friend. Because my friend
was feeling unwell, I told him that I would be driving the car back home. In terms of belonging
needs, I acknowledged the importance of interpersonal communication in meeting my needs as I
spent my entire evening with my close friends chatting with them on various issues and using
non-verbal communication technique of interpersonal communication (Arnold and Boggs 2015).
I also acknowledged the need for proper interpersonal communication with respect to the
perception which I used to have at various scenarios and for diverse individuals in my
surroundings. Since I usually greet my friends with hug and smile in my face whenever I meet
them, I had a view that it was a right and acceptable means of greeting friends within my

Interpersonal Communication and Therapeutic Communication 3
surrounding. Nonetheless, I never tried to differentiate between individuals to comprehend any
kind of variations that could take place in diverse scenarios. I recognized this in my four days
experiment when I met a new lady in the morning and we became friends. When I saw her in the
evening, without any second thought, I directly went for a hug and smile (non-verbal
techniques). She had a different reaction this time. She became angry and frown (non-verbal
technique) with me thinking that I had wrong intentions with her It was at this point that I
appreciated that perception could not work in all scenarios; therefore, the communication further
depends on situations and perceptions.
I also used written interpersonal communication technique in my daily life. I remember
when I was doing my placement, despite knowing my supervisor and we could casually
communicate sometimes, I realized that there were situations I had to write to her a letter. I
believed that written communication technique also works in such a situation. Specifically, I
remember when I wrote to her a letter with questions asking her about how I could boost my
confidence when working with patients. She also responded to me in a written communication
form and I felt good because I could keep the notes and infer anytime I wanted.
I also gained a lot of therapeutic communication. I got to understand that therapeutic
communication involves the interaction between a patient and nurse which assists advance the
emotional and physical health of my patient. I came to appreciate the need to use therapeutic
communication as an active process. As a nurse, I used various strategies to assist my patients to
express their feelings and ideas in a way that creates respect and acceptance. Consequently, such
strategies have helped me enhanced my patients’ comforts and encouraged a feeling safety as
well as increases the trust between us (Ruesch, Bateson, Pinsker and Combs 2017). I realized
that therapeutic communication assists my patients to feel that I truly understand and care for

Interpersonal Communication and Therapeutic Communication 4
them all the times. I also benefited from therapeutic communication because these interactions
help me establish rapport with my patients, understand where my patients are coming from,
exchange useful information, and come up with customized health-care interventions approaches
and strategies which benefit my patients. As a nurse with effective therapeutic communication, I
have further benefited from this knowledge that I helped my patients in need (Kornhaber, Walsh,
Duff and Walker 2016).
I have appreciated the importance of active listening, touch, and space as critical
techniques in therapeutic communication through non-verbal and verbal communication (Deane
and Fain 2016). I always listen actively to help me hear and understand what my clients are
saying and help me interpreted the meanings properly to know exactly my patients are saying. I
also use therapeutic communication when paraphrasing what my clients said and use non-verbal
techniques like good eye contact and silence when actively listening. This allows me to give my
patient ample time to think through his thought anytime I believe they need it.
I have also appreciated the value of touch in therapeutic communication since it has
helped me give my patients a sense that I care for them but I have been culturally-sensitive
because I know some cultures prohibit certain kind of touch (Hargie 2016). Personal space has
also helped me in diverse cultures by ensuring that I am physically close to my patients. I have
also appreciated the value of talking, privacy and confidentiality in my therapeutic
communications.

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References
Arnold, E.C. and Boggs, K.U., 2015. Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication
skills for nurses. Elsevier Health Sciences, 14(3), 12-68.
Deane, W.H. and Fain, J.A., 2016. Incorporating Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations to
promote holistic communication between older adults and nursing students. Journal of Holistic
Nursing, 34(1), pp.35-41.
Hargie, O., 2016. Skilled interpersonal communication: Research, theory and practice.
Routledge, 13(1), 2-116.
Kornhaber, R., Walsh, K., Duff, J. and Walker, K., 2016. Enhancing adult therapeutic
interpersonal relationships in the acute health care setting: an integrative review. Journal of
multidisciplinary healthcare, 9(1), p.537.
O'Toole, G., 2016. Communication: Core interpersonal skills for health professionals. Elsevier
Health Sciences, 12(2), 23-111.
Ruesch, J., Bateson, G., Pinsker, E.C. and Combs, G., 2017. Communication: The social matrix
of psychiatry. Routledgen 13(1), 12-65.