Non-therapeutic Verbal Communication Techniques

Non-therapeutic communication can occur in many forums.

Non-therapeutic communication is a kind of communication in which the speaker is not considering the other person's input or reactions to a conversation. Where therapeutic communication is meant to comfort or even benefit the other person in an interaction, non-therapeutic communication is very one-sided and does not contribute to the other person's general well being. There are many techniques to being a non-therapeutic communicator.

Instructions

1. State your opinions, whether you agree or disagree with the other party. For example, if you state that someone is wrong, you are negating his input. If you state he is right you are also still inserting your opinion as more important than his, as you feel the need to make it known.

2. Interrupt the other person or change the subject of the conversation. You are showing the other person in the conversation that whatever he is discussing or saying is not of importance, therefore putting the focus on your feelings instead of the other party's.

3. Offer advice. Although it may seem to be an attempt to help a person this is a form of non-therapeutic communication. The underlying implication is that the other person cannot manage or make a decision for himself, and you are stepping in to do it for them.

4. Offer artificial reassurance. For example, in a situation where someone is gravely ill you may tell them they'll get better without evidence to support it, which is not contributing to that person's overall well being. Generalizing a person's feelings by saying things like "Everybody feels this way," or "You're not the only one" is another non-therapeutic communication technique.

5. Do not listen or exhibit that you are distracted from the conversation. Poor listening or simply not listening to a person at all is a major non-verbal therapeutic technique. You are blatantly showing that the other person's feelings or opinions are not important enough to hear. When you are not focused on a conversation you are belittling its importance, even though the topic might be important to the other person involved.

References

• SlideShare: Nurse Review.org: Non Therapeutic Communication Techniques