How To Have Better Communication In Relationships
Individual Therapist Orlando Tips
In this blog series, an individual therapist in Orlando discusses how to have better communication in relationships. This will include sharing therapy techniques and the inner workings of healthy and positive communication. These strategies can be used when communicating and dealing with family, friends, significant others, or co-workers. The focus of individual therapy for adults helps clients with healthy communication techniques that allow for expression of thoughts and feelings in a manner that is both receptive and straight forward. Healthy communication can be very difficult to master, especially due to the nature of other people’s differing perceptions of words. In Orlando individual therapy, it is also noted that many people place a different level of importance on verbal and non-verbal communication.
Non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication can be just as important as verbal communication. These behaviors explained by an individual therapist as body language, posture, tone, facial expressions, etc. These can directly affect the perception of another person’s message being delivered in a conversation. For example, if your significant other is upset about something or venting to you about a problem at work and you look aloof or appear happy, they will assume you don’t care about what they are communicating to you. Some helpful hints from an Orlando counselor’s point of view:
- Mirror their feelings or facial expressions when appropriate. When they’re feeling sad, express a face of concern or sadness for them.
- Lean in closer to them, this promotes both understanding and sincerity.
- Check your posture and adjust it if necessary.
- Maintain eye contact with them.
- Small embraces, like touching of the shoulder or the hand can express care and concern.
Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is everything you’re saying and how you’re saying it. You want your words to accurately match your attitude and tone regarding whatever you’re communicating. Tone of voice is the easiest way to elevate a conversation into something it shouldn’t be... an argument, power struggle, verbal attack, etc. You want to come off as close to neutral as possible, even in times of emotional distress. The second you’re elevated, and defensive is the second the communication has ended. Ensure your feelings are reflective in your words and use strategies to promote understanding.
Individual Therapist Orlando Tips
Strategies For Healthy Communication
“I” STATEMENTS
It is very common to communicate feelings to others in a way in which we blame them or put emphasis on what they have done. A helpful strategy taught in counseling sessions to positively communicate feelings is to use “I” statements. This allows a person to own their own feelings or thoughts. This is done with a simple formula practiced in therapy often, especially when working with two people:
“I felt ________ (feeling word) when ___________ (action or event) because ________.”
In order for the other person to be receptive, you must put the utmost effort into not placing blame.
Here are some examples:
- “I felt sad when our plans changed because I haven’t seen you in what feels like forever.”
- “I felt angry when I didn’t get a message saying you got home safely because I tend to worry about you.”
Effective Communication Of Emotions
When you put the focus on your own emotions, you not only take responsibility for how you felt, but you also allow the other person to grasp and better understand the actions and thoughts that went into these feelings. This prevents the other person from being as defensive and promotes positive and deeper communication.
At first, learning how to have better communication in relationships, using this method, comes off a bit unnatural. That is normal. Practice makes permanent. Share this strategy with your friends, coworkers, family, or anyone you may have any sort of miscommunication with to further their ability to communicate better with you as well.
Individual Therapist Orlando Tips
Contact
This is just one of the many strategies taught in Orlando therapy for promoting positive communication. Stay tuned for the next segment in this series on how to have better communication in relationships. An individual therapist in Orlando will continue this discussion with assertive communication techniques. If you’re having communication issues in a relationship or having trouble communicating with specific people, feedback from a professional can be very helpful. A counselor in Orlando Thrive Therapy can give you guidance on the best ways to communicate better with difficult people and anyone in your life. Be sure to call 407-592-8997 or visit our website to book a session or for more Orlando counseling information. Feel free to ask about our limited reduced rate sessions with our intern individual therapist and author of this article, Mallory Hawkes.
