Free «A Guided Reflection» Essay Paper

Goals of the Therapeutic Interactions

Therapeutic interactions seek to understand the core psychiatric and nursing treatment approaches to be used in the particular case. Mick, the nurse from psychiatric unit, sought to evaluate the level and nature of Sandra’s condition. It helps to recommend the appropriate nursing interventions in such conditions. Thus, therapeutic interactions aim to assess and evaluate the condition of Sandra in the particular moment. In addition, therapeutic interactions aim at creating effective nurse-client relationships (Waltz, Strickland, & Lenz, 2010). The relationship seeks to assure the client of confidentiality, reliability and consistency of nurses.

After a little interaction between Mike and Sandra, Sandra feels more confident and open to communicate with Mick. Thus, the therapeutic interactions established are the quality alliances that enhance further interactions and disclosures from the patient. In addition, the therapeutic interactions can be used to develop a reliable problem solving mechanism for the patients. Mick can understand the key problems affecting Sandra, more so, determining the factors that could accelerate her condition. The concept of problem solving is a key goal of therapeutic interactions that could offer appropriate interventions and measures (Townsend, 2011). Another relevant goal of therapeutic interactions is examination of self-defeating actions of the client. In order to determine behaviors uncontrollable by the client, the nurse uses interaction. Mick is able to note that Sandra has encountered some difficulties in her life.

The Therapeutic and Non-Therapeutic Verbal Communication Skills

There are relevant therapeutic and non-therapeutic verbal communication skills required from the mental health liaison nurse. Therapeutic communication seeks to create some good relations with the patients and their families. This kind of communication comprises of the relevant verbal communication skills in order to understand the feelings of patients. First, the use of names is crucial in starting good therapeutic interaction. The mental health liaison nurse should show empathy based on the questions. The answering to the questions by the patients helps to determine their feelings and needs. During communication, the nurse should understand her/his limits. The nurse also seeks to encourage openness by asking the relevant questions. Openness and determination of the nurse’s limits are relevant communication skills that should be incorporated into therapeutic interactions (Waltz, Strickland, & Lenz, 2010).

The mental health liaise nurse should develop art of observation. While communicating with patients, there are certain things the nurse can do to depict their feelings. Thus, observation is a reliable communication skill to determine the feeling and the condition of the patient. It is also important to develop relevant social skills. The social skills are relevant verbal communication, in which create a good environment for beneficial interactions between the nurse and patient. Lastly, it is important to develop the skills of self-awareness. Self-awareness is a communication skill relevant in therapeutic interactions to understand the needs and background of the patient’s condition (Townsend, 2011).

Rationale for the Mental Health Nurse Responses

The establishment of boundaries relates to determination of the nurse’s needs and the client’s role in interaction. The boundaries could lead to the shift in the nurse-client relationship causing changes in the non-therapeutic techniques. If the boundaries were established, there are certain rationales applicable. First, there should regular requests by the patients for assistance from the nurse. The rationale of response must provide that the boundaries allow for increased reliance on the nurse by the patients (Prince, & Nelson, 2011). In addition, the rationale of the response should determine unwillingness of the client to progress in absence of the nurse. The rationale provides that patients are more reliant on the nurses to maintain their performance in psychiatric units. 

The nurses are expected to keep secret the nurse-patients relationship. The rationale for the responses ensures confidentiality in therapy. It also provides the patients with confidence in the nurses. It is important to assure the clients that their information is confidential. The rationale of response should assert authority and assume control of the patients for their safety. Based on the rationale, it recognizes that the patients do not have the ability to control themselves. Thus, the nurses should be more involved in the situation in order to calm the patients. Therefore, the boundaries established are crucial in the control and regulations of nurses’ actions towards the patients, such as actions of help and control.

The Interaction between the Mental Health Liaison Nurse and Sandra

Based on the requirements of therapeutic communication techniques, it is relevant to analyze interactions between Mick and Sandra. First, it is relevant to use names. Mick introduced himself to Sandra, in which it was a good way to start the therapeutic interaction. The mental health liaison nurse was right to use the name in starting interactions. The approach helps to get Sandra engaged in conversation. Mick also uses the empathy skills of therapeutic communication when he asked Sandra if there was anything he can do to help. It showed Sandra that the new nurse was caring and willing to help. In addition, Mick reveals the use of social skills in interactions, as he was able to engage in an informal conversation with Sandra. For example, Mick tells Sandra, “That must be very hard to deal with people like that…’ The statement reveals that Mick well understood and was ready to talk with Sandra. In addition, observational skills could help to note the actions of Sandra when asked some questions. In the case, when Mick asks Sandra what happened to her foot, Sandra keeps silence. Silence reveals that Sandra was not aware of what happened to her. In terms of feedback from Sandra, it can be noted that Mick was cautious with the questions asked. Mick asked Sandra some relevant questions that required straight answers. Generally, the interaction between Mick and Sandra clearly indicates the establishment of a relevant relationship between them (Prince, & Nelson, 2011).