Ethics, Boundaries & Communication
Build trust through sound judgment, clear consent, and professional care.
Lesson 2 of 11
Communication Skills
Clear communication is part of safe treatment, not an optional extra. Listening carefully and checking understanding help reveal goals, concerns, and changes in comfort. Words, tone, posture, and facial expression can send different signals, so invite clarification rather than guessing. Feedback should be specific, respectful, and focused on observable behavior.
Key points
- Use active listening: attend, reflect key meaning, and ask open questions.
- Summarize the client's stated goal and confirm you understood it correctly.
- Use I-statements to describe your perspective without blame, such as 'I need to pause to clarify.'
- Observe nonverbal cues, but do not treat them as proof of consent or emotion.
- Ask directly about pressure, draping, temperature, and comfort throughout the session.
- Receive feedback without defensiveness; agree on a practical adjustment.
Key terms
- Active listening
- Focused listening that checks understanding through questions and reflection.
- I-statement
- A statement describing one's own observation, need, or feeling without accusation.
- Nonverbal communication
- Meaning conveyed through behavior such as posture, expression, and tone.
- Feedback
- Information about an action or experience used to guide improvement.
- Open-ended question
- A question that invites more than a yes-or-no response.
Memory tip
LACE: Listen, Acknowledge, Clarify, Ensure agreement.
Clinical note
Silence or a relaxed expression never substitutes for asking permission before changing a technique or area.
Unit checkpoint
Lock it in: match the terms, then test yourself.