Therapeutic listening

Listening is an active and dynamic process of interaction that requires intentional effort to attend to a client's verbal and nonverbal cues. Listening is an integral part and foundation of nurse-client relationships and one of the most effective therapeutic techniques available to nurses. The theoretical underpinnings of listening can be traced back to counseling psychology and psychotherapy. Listening is a significant component of therapeutic communication with patients and foundational to the building of an effective therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. Listening is also a key to improving patient safety in complex clinical settings. Listening is an intervention itself as well as being foundational in the administration of other complementary therapies. Therapeutic listening enables clients to better understand their feelings and experience being understood by another caring person. Sensitivity and awareness of cultural variations in communication styles are vital to intervention effectiveness.