Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Therapeutic communication is a purposeful, goal-directed form of interaction used by nurses to establish a helping relationship with patients. It involves active listening, open-ended questioning, clarification, reflection, validation, and summarizing to facilitate understanding and trust. Nonverbal communication, including eye contact, body language, tone of voice, and respect for personal space, accounts for a significant portion of the message conveyed during nurse-patient interactions. The therapeutic relationship progresses through three distinct phases: orientation (establishing trust and defining roles), working (implementing interventions and achieving goals), and termination (evaluating outcomes and preparing for discharge).