Therapeutic Use of Self in Nursing

Study Notes

Therapeutic Use of Self

Therapeutic use of self is how a nurse uses their personality, experiences, and skills to build a relationship with the client.
Interpersonal communication techniques are the tools used by nurses to provide psychosocial interventions.
Nurse-client relationship is the foundation of psychiatric nursing.

Therapeutic Relationship

Therapeutic relationship occurs when caregiver and care receiver work together in a healing environment.

Essential Conditions for a Therapeutic Relationship

Rapport: A sense of harmony based on understanding and appreciating each person's individuality.
Empathy: Ability to understand the situation from the client's perspective.
Realness: Being honest and open in interactions with the client.
Respect: Believing in the dignity and worth of the client regardless of their behavior.
Trust: Demonstrated by providing caring and warm interventions to the client.

Phases of a Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship

Pre-interaction phase:
- Goal: Explore self-perception.
- Tasks:
  - Gathering information about the client.
  - Examining personal feelings, fears, and anxieties about working with the client.
Orientation (introductory) phase:
- Goal: Establish trust and formulate a contract for intervention.
- Tasks:
  - Creating an environment for trust and rapport.
  - Developing a contract for interventions.
Working phase:
- Goal: Promote client change.
- Tasks:
  - Maintaining trust and rapport.
  - Promoting the client's insight and perception of reality.
Termination phase:
- Goal: Evaluate goal attainment and ensure therapeutic closure.
- Tasks:
  - Evaluating progress towards mutually set goals.
  - Establishing a plan for continuing care during stressful life experiences.

Transference and Countertransference

Transference: When the client unconsciously displaces (transfers) feelings toward someone from their past onto the nurse.
Countertransference: The nurse's behavioral and emotional response to the client. Can be related to unresolved feelings towards significant others from the nurse's past, or a reaction to transference from the client.

Boundaries in the Nurse-Client Relationship

Four issues associated with professional boundaries:
- Material boundaries
- Social boundaries
- Personal boundaries
- Professional boundaries
Warning signs that professional boundaries are in jeopardy:
- Keeping secrets with a client.
- Spending free time with a client.

Comparison: Process Recordings, Feedback

Process recording: A written record of verbal interactions with clients. Includes verbatim accounts of interactions, used to improve interpersonal communication techniques.
Feedback: A method of communication that encourages clients to consider modifying their behavior.

Johari Window Model

The Johari Window Model helps understand the dynamics of self-disclosure and awareness in relationships.
Four areas of the Johari Window:
- Facade: Known only to myself.
- Arena: Known to all.
- Unknown: Known to no one.
- Blind Spot: Known to others.

Description

This quiz explores the concept of therapeutic use of self in nursing, focusing on the interpersonal communication techniques essential for building a strong nurse-client relationship. It emphasizes the core conditions required for effective therapeutic relationships, including rapport, empathy, realness, respect, and trust.