making one's self available suggests interest in the client and a desire to assist the client

EXAMPLES

I'll sit with you awhile.

I'll stay here with you.

I'm available today until 3 if you wold like to talk

repeating what the client has said or a part of what has been said, uses client's own words

EXAMPLE

Client: I am worried about my test.

Nurse:...about your test

verbalizing the implied feeling expressed by the content of the client's communication

EXAMPLE

Client: What am I doing here? the people who understand me are no where near.

Nurse: You feel lonely and that no one cares.

allows the client to select what to talk about

EXAMPLE

What would you like to discuss?

Where woul dyou like to begin?

gives encouragement to the client to continue

EXAMPLE

Go on.

And then?

I see...

Hmmm...

searching for mutual understanding, determining if the nurse has understood the client

EXAMPLE

Tell me whether my understanding agrees with yours (nurse describes what she thnks she heard the client say)

stating the main points of a discussion to clarify the relevant points discussed, often used at the end of an interview or before changing the focus of the discussion

EXAMPLE

you said that..

During the last half hour we have talked abot your plans which are...

concentrating on a single point by using who, what, when, where, and how questions

EXAMPLE

Client: This problem is becoming too big and I don't know what to do. My family thinks I should quit my job.

Nurse: What is the problem?

verbalizing what is observed or percieved

EXAMPLE

You appear tense.

I notice that you are shaking your leg.

You changed the subject when I asked about your mother.

sharing one's perception of the client's behavior

EXAMPLE

Your contributions helped the group work together.

You interrupted the group leader.

Seeking clarification

used to clarify the communication, to make the meaning clear

EXAMPLE

I'm not sure I understand that

Tell me more about..

When you say..do you mean??

identifying a discrepancy between what is said and what is done

EXAMPLE

You said you were going to group today but you didn't. 

expressing uncertainty as to the reality of the client's perceptions, often used with clients experiencing delusional thinking

EXAMPLE

I find that hard to believe.

That seems rather doubtful to me.

Stereotyping

offering generalized and oversimplified beliefs about groups of people, categorizes clients and negate their uniqueness as individuals

EXAMPLE

It's for your own good.

Depressed people are spineless.

All clients feel that way

attempting to protect something or someone from negative comments

EXAMPLE 

client: My Doctor is not helping me and the nurses do nothing all day.

Nurse: The staff here is very dedicated and competent and have your best interest in mind.

demanding proof from the client

EXAMPLE

Client: I believe my family doesn't really want me to get well.

Nurse: How can you say that? They call and visit everyday.

persistent questioning of the client, asking "why"may place the client in a defensive position

Encourage rationalizations ("what makes you" or What made you? are disguised why questions)

Client: I didn't tell the doctor yet.

Nurse: What makes you do that?

telling the client what to do

EXAMPLE  

Client: I have trouble getting along with my mother.

Nurse: You should move out and get your own apt.

refusing to consider or showing contempt for the client's ideas or behavior

EXAMPLE 

I don't want to hear about...

That wasn't a smart thing to do

Changing the subject

introducing a unrelated topic

EXAMPLE 

Client: I want to just end it all.

Nurse: Did you have visitors today?

using cliches or comforting statements to reassure client, minimizes client's concerns

EXAMPLE 

I'm sure everything will turn out okay.

you don't need to worry about that.