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Non-verbal communication strategies are ways you communicate without speaking, for example through facial expressions, hand gestures, eye contact, and body language. See Figure 2.5.

Figure 2.5: Non-verbal communication

In many situations, much of your communication occurs through non-verbal behaviours. Non-verbal communication can be a useful strategy for communicating emotions like empathy, compassion, and acceptance. It is often how nurses respond, rather than what they say, that leaves a lasting impression on clients, so it is important to be aware of how you communicate using non-verbal behaviours.

Non-verbal behaviours must align with your verbal behaviours so that clients clearly understand what you are saying. For example, it would be confusing for the client if you had a somber tone of voice, distancing posture, and avoided eye contact while attempting to maintain a therapeutic relationship with the client.

Try to ensure positioning where you are both at the same vertical level and a slight angle towards one another. This positioning conveys an open and non-confrontational and non-authoritative space. Whenever possible, avoid standing over the client if they are sitting or lying in bed. It is better to sit down, which also conveys that you have time to listen to them.

There are many models to inform your non-verbal communication. One helpful model is called SURETY (Stickley, 2011) reflected as a modified version in Figure 2.6:

Figure 2.6: The SURETY model.

Activity: Check Your Understanding

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