Therapeutic Communication

Advanced therapeutic communication builds on foundational skills by incorporating motivational interviewing, crisis intervention communication, and trauma-informed approaches. Motivational interviewing uses open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing (OARS) to explore ambivalence and support behavior change. Transference occurs when a patient projects feelings from past relationships onto the nurse, while countertransference occurs when the nurse unconsciously redirects feelings toward the patient. Recognizing these dynamics is essential for maintaining objectivity and therapeutic effectiveness. Interprofessional communication frameworks such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) standardize handoff communication and reduce the risk of errors during care transitions.