Lec 4.1 - Communicating Effectively

Intrapersonal

• Level of Communication

• Person receives and interpret information from the environment

Interpersonal

• Level of Communication

• Person sends and receives message to and from another person

Group

• Level of Communication

• Small groups like teams and families

Organizational

• Level of Communication

• Several groups within an institution or facility

Therapeutic Communication

• Process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, feelings between client and healhtcare provider

• To help the client overcome difficulties

Unidirectional

• Types of Therapeutic Communication

• Not reciprocal

• Initiated and sustained by the therapist without much response from the client

• Done when the client is severely impaired verbally

Bidirectional

• Types of Therapeutic Communication

• Reciprocal

• Ongoing give-and-take between the therapist and client

• Constant exchange of thoughts, feelings, and body language

Content

• Dimensions of Communication

• The topic or message

• The meaning of the verbal message

• Transparent dimension

Feeling or Emotional

• Dimensions of Communication

• Non-verbal level

Communicant’s Perceived Relationship

• Dimensions of Communication

• Hidden dimension

• Perceptions of relationships

Therapeutic Listening

• A method of responding to others in a way that is warm, interested, and respectful 

• Encourages better communication for the clearer understanding of concerns

Linguistic

• Elements of Communication

• Language code that the speaker intentionally uses to communicate

• Verbal element

• Therapists use a jargon that clients do not typically use

Semantic

• 3 Rules of the Linguistic Element

• Dictionary definition

• Can be changed based on the context in which the word is used

Syntactic

• 3 Rules of the Linguistic Element

• Use of grammar, structure, and punctuation

Pragmatic

• 3 Rules of the Linguistic Element

• Use of utterances in social situations

Paralinguistic

• Elements of Communication

• Manner in which the word are said signal the speaker’s personal information

Pitch

• Vocal Properties

• Subjective variation in the highness or lowness of the voice

• Most salient vocal property 

• Low vocal frequencies = more dominant and competent

Tone

• Vocal Properties

• Quality or character of the voice

Volume

• Vocal Properties

• Loudness of the voice

Projection

• Vocal Properties

• How far the voice carries

Voice inflection

• Vocal Properties

• Rising and falling of your voice

Voice intonation

• Vocal Properties

• The melody of your voice

Articulation

• Vocal Properties

• Sound per syllable

Enunciation

• Vocal Properties

• Distinctiveness of one word from another

Pronunciation

• Vocal Properties

• How the entire word is sounded

Speed and Rhythm

• Vocal Properties

• How fast you talk

Non-Verbal

• Elements of Communication

• Process of interaction without written or spoken language

• As important as the verbal code

• Makes up for the deficiency in verbal communication

Proximity

• The distance between individuals

  • Intimate zone < 45cm

  • Friend zone = 45cm - 1.2m

  • Social zone = 1.2m - 3.6m

  • Audience zone > 3.6m

Touch

• Physical contact linked to personal space

• Governed by context, gender, experience, education, and culture

Functional Touch

• Procedural or instrumental touch

• Carried out related to assessment or intervention

Therapeutic touch

• Expressing or caring touch

• Comfort or console, reassure or support the client

Building Rapport

• Relationship dynamics characterized by good understanding

• Relationship based on high degree of community of thought, interest, and sentiment

• Light feeling from the gut

• Foundation of effective relationship

• Characterized by harmony, sense of compatibility, and affinity

High Therapeutic Rapport

• Optimal interpersonal experience for the client and the therapist

• Concentration, masterful communication, enjoyment

• High levels of mutual attentiveness, interpersonal coordination, and mutual positivity

• Beneficial for client performance and follow-through with intervention 

Managing Impressions

• Important aspect of rapport building

• Behaviors and statements that prepare clients to trust your personal and professional integrity

• Appearance, demeanor, behaviors