By North Essay Help Editorial Team ·
Therapeutic Communication Examples in Nursing (Techniques, Scripts and What to Avoid)
Therapeutic communication is goal-directed conversation that helps the patient express feelings, understand their situation and take part in their care. It builds on Hildegard Peplau's interpersonal relations theory, which places the nurse-patient relationship at the centre of nursing. Exams and process recordings test it in a specific way: can you name the technique, use it in a sentence, and spot when a response shuts the patient down. This guide covers all three.
15 therapeutic techniques with examples
| Technique | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Open-ended questions | Invites the patient to say more than yes or no | "How have you been feeling since the surgery?" |
| Active listening | Shows attention through posture, eye contact and nodding | (Sitting at eye level, facing the patient, nodding) |
| Silence | Gives time to think and continue | (Pausing for several seconds after the patient speaks) |
| Restating | Repeats the main idea to confirm and encourage | Patient: "I can't sleep here." Nurse: "You're having trouble sleeping in hospital?" |
| Reflecting | Returns the feeling behind the words | "You sound frustrated about the waiting." |
| Clarifying | Checks meaning when something is unclear | "When you say you feel off, can you tell me more about what that's like?" |
| Focusing | Brings the conversation to one important point | "You mentioned your breathing. Let's talk about that first." |
| Summarizing | Pulls the main points together | "So the pain is worse at night and the medication helps for about two hours?" |
| Offering self | Shows availability without conditions | "I'll sit with you for a while." |
| Giving information | Shares facts the patient needs | "The physiotherapist will come at 10 to help you walk." |
| Acknowledging | Recognizes effort or change without judging | "I noticed you walked to the door today." |
| Exploring | Goes deeper into a topic the patient raises | "What worries you most about going home?" |
| Voicing doubt | Gently questions a statement that doesn't fit reality | "I find that hard to believe. Can you tell me more?" |
| Presenting reality | States what is real without arguing | "I don't hear voices, but I can see they're upsetting you." |
| Encouraging comparison | Helps the patient link to past experience | "Have you felt like this before? What helped then?" |
Non-therapeutic responses and better alternatives
| Non-therapeutic response | Why it blocks | Therapeutic alternative |
|---|---|---|
| False reassurance: "Don't worry, everything will be fine." | Dismisses the concern and may not be true | "You're worried about the results. What's on your mind?" |
| Giving advice: "If I were you, I'd have the surgery." | Takes the decision away from the patient | "What do you know about the options so far?" |
| Asking why: "Why didn't you take your medication?" | Sounds accusing; puts the patient on the defensive | "Tell me about taking your medications at home." |
| Changing the subject: "Let's talk about your lunch." | Signals the topic is unwelcome | "You mentioned your daughter. Tell me more." |
| Approval or disapproval: "That's good" / "You shouldn't feel that way." | Implies a judgment the patient must meet | "How do you feel about it?" |
| Minimizing: "Lots of people have this surgery." | Makes the patient's experience seem unimportant | "This surgery feels like a big deal to you." |
| Closed questions only: "Are you OK?" | Invites a one-word answer | "How are you feeling right now?" |
| Defending: "The nurses here are very good." | Shuts down a complaint instead of hearing it | "Tell me what happened." |
| Stereotyped comments: "It's for your own good." | Clichés feel dismissive | Explain the specific reason in plain language |
| Arguing with a delusion: "Nobody is following you." | Increases distress and damages trust | "That sounds frightening. You're safe here with me." |
Example dialogue (anxiety before surgery)
Patient: I don't know if I can go through with this.
Nurse: You're not sure about the surgery. (restating)
Patient: My brother had the same operation and it went badly.
Nurse: That must make this feel very frightening. (reflecting)
Patient: It does. I keep thinking about it.
Nurse: (pauses) (silence)
Patient: I just don't know what to expect.
Nurse: Would it help if I walked you through what will happen today, step by step? (giving information)
Patient: Yes, I'd like that.
Nurse: And what questions would you like to ask the surgeon before you go in? (exploring, involving the patient)
Process recording template
Many nursing courses, especially in mental health, ask for a process recording: a written record of an interaction with analysis.
| Patient said / did | Nurse said / did | Technique used | Analysis: was it therapeutic? Why? | Better response (if needed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "I can't sleep here." | "You're having trouble sleeping in hospital?" | Restating | Therapeutic: confirmed understanding and invited more | |
| "My brother had the same operation." | "Don't worry, you'll be fine." | False reassurance | Non-therapeutic: dismissed the fear | "That must make this feel frightening." |
Tips: record what was actually said, not what you wish you'd said; include non-verbal behaviour; analyze honestly; link your analysis to a source (Peplau, your textbook, or your regulator's therapeutic nurse-client relationship standard).
Canadian standard worth citing
In Ontario, the College of Nurses of Ontario's Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship practice standard sets out the nurse's responsibility to establish and maintain the relationship, including boundaries. Other provinces have similar standards. It's a strong source for the analysis column of a process recording.
Frequently asked questions
What is therapeutic communication in nursing?
Purposeful communication that helps patients express themselves, understand their situation and take part in decisions. It's focused on the patient's needs, not social conversation.
What are the most common therapeutic techniques?
Open-ended questions, active listening, silence, restating, reflecting, clarifying and summarizing.
Why is asking "why" non-therapeutic?
"Why" questions can sound accusing and make patients defensive. Ask "Tell me about..." or "What happened?" instead.
Is reassurance always non-therapeutic?
False reassurance is ("everything will be fine"). Honest, specific information is not ("Your pain medication should start working in about 20 minutes").
How do I respond to a patient with delusions?
Don't argue or agree. Acknowledge the feeling, present reality gently, and focus on safety: "That sounds frightening. I don't see anyone following you, but I'm here with you."
What is a process recording?
A written account of a nurse-patient interaction, line by line, with the technique used and an analysis of whether each response was therapeutic.
Related guides and tools
- SBAR examples for nursing students
- Gibbs reflective cycle nursing example
- Nursing diagnosis vs medical diagnosis
- Nursing assignment help
Sources: Peplau, H. E. (1952). Interpersonal Relations in Nursing. College of Nurses of Ontario, Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship practice standard. Dialogue examples are fictional and for learning only.
