Foundational Concepts

The provision of psychotherapy as a successful intervention relies on quality therapeutic nurse-client relationships. This chapter outlines the foundational concepts of the nurse psychotherapist’s role in creating rapport and building trust and highlights the importance of self-awareness, boundaries, and self-disclosure. This chapter will cover advanced therapeutic communication techniques needed for an effective therapeutic nurse-client alliance to help attain psychotherapy treatment goals. Advanced therapeutic communication techniques discussed will include verbal and non-verbal therapeutic communication techniques, communication blocks, defense mechanisms, empathy, and listening. Consideration will be given in this chapter to the effect on rapport, trust, and communication by the provision of psychotherapy virtually.