Term 1: Offering Self
Definition: Making oneself available to clients in an unconditional manner. Example: “I’ll just sit with you for a while, whether or not you would like to talk.”
Term 2: Focusing
Definition: Selecting a single topic or concept that the client has expressed to explore further. Example: “Let’s talk more about your job.”
Term 3: Broad Openings
Definition: Allows the client to take the initiative in talking and emphasizes his or her importance and control in the process. Example: “What would you like to talk about today?”
Term 4: Reflecting
Definition: Referring questions or statements back to the client. Example: “What do you think you should do about it?”
Term 5: Restating
Definition: The content or main idea of what the client said is repeated by the nurse, allowing the client to continue or correct perceptions. Example: “You are concerned that this promotion may be beyond your
capabilities?”
Term 6: Voicing Doubt
Definition: Expresses uncertainty about whether what the client has said represents reality. Example: “Tell me more about how you see these things happening today. I need to have a better understanding of your perceptions.”
Term 7: Presenting Reality
Definition: The nurse defines reality or his or her perceptions in the face of the client misperception of the environment. Example: “I don’t see anyone else in the room.”
Term 8: Asking for Clarification
Definition: Seeking the meaning of what has been said for mutual understanding. Example: “Did I understand you correctly? That you feel you may be fired because of your hospitalization?”
Term 9: Seeking Validation
Definition: Similar to seeking clarification, the nurse confirms that there is a mutual understanding of what the client has said. Example: “Tell me if I understand what you have said.”
Term 10: Summarizing
Definition: Identifying key concepts for conclusion to the conversation or development of an action plan. Example: “Today we have talked about a plan for you to manage feelings of anger.”
Term 11: Using Silence
Definition: Demonstrates acceptance and allows the client an opportunity to reflect on what has been said or to introduce additional content. Example: Silence with careful body language. Body language needs to be attentive without dominating. Opportunities for reflecting on the conversation are necessary. During silence, an uncomfortable period is therapeutic to encourage the other person to expand on his or her thoughts.
Term 12: Making Observations
Definition: Allowing the client to recognize his or her behaviors and to compare the nurse's perceptions with the client's understanding. Example: “You seem upset about something.”
Term 13: Offering General Leads
Definition: Allows the client the opportunity to continue with a topic.
Example: “What happened next?”