Best Practices in Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Best Practices in Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Verbal and nonverbal communication skills are essential in human services interactions, particularly in demonstrating a person-centred approach. In a person-centred approach, the practitioner works with the service user as an equal partner, respecting and supporting their goals (Neukrug, 2021). I identified various communication skills by observing two interactions between a human services professional practitioner and a service user.

In the first interaction, the practitioner effectively utilized verbal communication skills to create a person-centred environment. The practitioner actively listened to the service users, providing them a safe space to express their concerns. Additionally, the practitioner used open-ended questions, allowing the service user to provide detailed responses. These skills contributed to creating a healthy and productive helping relationship.

However, the practitioner’s nonverbal communication skills needed to be improved. The practitioner maintained limited eye contact with the service user, which can indicate a lack of interest or concern. Additionally, the practitioner appeared restless, fidgeting with their pen and shifting in their seat, which can be perceived as lacking focus.

In the second interaction, the practitioner effectively used verbal and nonverbal communication skills to create a person-centered approach. The practitioner maintained eye contact with the service user, demonstrating an interest in their concerns. Additionally, the practitioner utilized active listening skills, providing the service users with a space to express their concerns fully.

To improve engagement and create healthy and productive helping relationships, as a human services professional practitioner, I can utilize various verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Active listening, open-ended questions, and maintaining eye contact can contribute to creating a person-centred approach (Neukrug, 2021). Additionally, practicing self-awareness, maintaining a positive demeanour, and providing a safe and comfortable space for the service user can create a positive helping relationship. I can also utilize nonverbal cues, such as body posture and tone of voice, to demonstrate empathy and concern.

In conclusion, effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills are essential in human services interactions, particularly in creating a person-centred approach. Practitioners must actively listen, utilize open-ended questions, maintain eye contact, and practice self-awareness to create a healthy and productive helping relationship.

References

Neukrug, E. (2021). Skills and techniques for human service professionals: Counseling environment, helping skills, treatment issues (2^nd ed.).

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Human services professional practice utilizes the person-centred approach, meaning the practitioner views the service user as an equal partner in the relationship, treats them with respect, and supports the goals they have. But how does this approach play out in a human services interaction? How is person-centeredness shown through the practitioner’s verbal and nonverbal communication skills?

Best Practices in Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

For this Discussion, you observe and analyze two interactions between a human services professional practitioner and a service user, identifying the communication skills at play.
Post an explanation of the verbal and nonverbal communication skills the practitioner used effectively in a person-centered manner. Then, explain the verbal or nonverbal communication skills that were lacking or used ineffectively in the video. Justify your response. Then apply these ideas to yourself: How can you as a human services professional practitioner, improve engagement and create healthy and productive helping relationships through verbal and nonverbal communication?

resources
Neukrug, E. (2021). Skills and techniques for human service professionals: Counseling environment, helping skills, treatment issues (2nd ed.). Cognella.
Chapter 2: Entering the Agency (Read only “Nonverbal Behaviors,” pp. 24–30)
Chapter 3: Foundational Skills (pp. 35–46)
Chapter 4: Essential Skills (pp. 47–66)
Clark, C. (2017, January 24). The vanishing art of listening well links to an external site.. Reflections on Nursing Leadership, 43(1), 164–168.
Geroski, A. M. (2017). Listening and basic responding skills in helping conversations Download Listening and basic responding skills in helping conversations. In Skills for helping professionals (pp. 171–202). SAGE.
Read only pp. 171–193.
Credit line: Skills for helping professionals, by Geroski, A. M. Copyright 2017 by SAGE Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications, Inc via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Washburn, A. M., & Grossman, M. (2017). Being with a person in our care: Person-centered social work practice that is authentically person-centeredLinks to an external site.. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 60(5), 408–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2017.1348419
Links to an external site.Note: Though this article is written for a social work context, it provides an overview of the person-centered approach and the attitudes and helping skills that align with it, which are applicable to your human services professional practice.