Author: Dr. Xavier Coll
Publisher: Radcliffe Press
ISBN: 9781846195167
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 174
Book Description
Communicating effectively when addressing psychiatric and psychological problems in everyday practice can be difficult. This book provides a clear and concise guide on how to run consultations, using the Calgary-Cambridge Model The model is applied to an extensive variety of mental health conditions, ranging from taking a good psychiatric history to specialist scenarios such as working with families and young people or breaking bad news in mental health. There are also practical and comprehensive chapters on anxiety, depression, psychosis, risk to self, mental capacity, dealing with emotions and mental health consultations in primary care. An accompanying DVD enhances knowledge and promotes greater understanding through a series of simulated consultations which explore and answer the OSCE questions posed in the text. The practical, accessible and comprehensive approach helps clinicians increase their confidence in mental health consultations. It is also of great benefit to students wishing to improve their clinical skills and ultimately to pass their exams. Effective communication skills are the essence of good health care practice. Health care professionals with effective communication skills receive fewer complaints from patients and their relatives. They also carry out more efficient consultations, enjoy a more satisfactory working life and produce improved patient health outcomes.
Communication Skills in Mental Health Care
Author: Dr. Xavier Coll
Publisher: Radcliffe Press
ISBN: 9781846195167
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 174
Book Description
Communicating effectively when addressing psychiatric and psychological problems in everyday practice can be difficult. This book provides a clear and concise guide on how to run consultations, using the Calgary-Cambridge Model The model is applied to an extensive variety of mental health conditions, ranging from taking a good psychiatric history to specialist scenarios such as working with families and young people or breaking bad news in mental health. There are also practical and comprehensive chapters on anxiety, depression, psychosis, risk to self, mental capacity, dealing with emotions and mental health consultations in primary care. An accompanying DVD enhances knowledge and promotes greater understanding through a series of simulated consultations which explore and answer the OSCE questions posed in the text. The practical, accessible and comprehensive approach helps clinicians increase their confidence in mental health consultations. It is also of great benefit to students wishing to improve their clinical skills and ultimately to pass their exams. Effective communication skills are the essence of good health care practice. Health care professionals with effective communication skills receive fewer complaints from patients and their relatives. They also carry out more efficient consultations, enjoy a more satisfactory working life and produce improved patient health outcomes.
Publisher: Radcliffe Press
ISBN: 9781846195167
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 174
Book Description
Communicating effectively when addressing psychiatric and psychological problems in everyday practice can be difficult. This book provides a clear and concise guide on how to run consultations, using the Calgary-Cambridge Model The model is applied to an extensive variety of mental health conditions, ranging from taking a good psychiatric history to specialist scenarios such as working with families and young people or breaking bad news in mental health. There are also practical and comprehensive chapters on anxiety, depression, psychosis, risk to self, mental capacity, dealing with emotions and mental health consultations in primary care. An accompanying DVD enhances knowledge and promotes greater understanding through a series of simulated consultations which explore and answer the OSCE questions posed in the text. The practical, accessible and comprehensive approach helps clinicians increase their confidence in mental health consultations. It is also of great benefit to students wishing to improve their clinical skills and ultimately to pass their exams. Effective communication skills are the essence of good health care practice. Health care professionals with effective communication skills receive fewer complaints from patients and their relatives. They also carry out more efficient consultations, enjoy a more satisfactory working life and produce improved patient health outcomes.
Communicating as a Mental Health Carer
Author: Paul Bonham
Publisher: Nelson Thornes
ISBN: 9780748772919
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 212
Book Description
Client-focused and skills-based, this unique new text provides the answers to what do I say when situations. This introductory text is based on current clinical practice and draws on the author's experience as a link tutor, making it ideal for Mental Health students and practitioners who need practical guidance in communication.
Publisher: Nelson Thornes
ISBN: 9780748772919
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 212
Book Description
Client-focused and skills-based, this unique new text provides the answers to what do I say when situations. This introductory text is based on current clinical practice and draws on the author's experience as a link tutor, making it ideal for Mental Health students and practitioners who need practical guidance in communication.
Communication Skills for Mental Health Nurses
Author: Jean Morrissey
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)
ISBN: 0335238726
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 203
Book Description
"An extremely informative and useable book covering many aspects of communication ... highly recommended for students and practitioners in the mental health field, whether nurses or not." Mental Health Practice "Learning to communicate effectively is vital for all nurses ... This exciting new book, with an accessible and engaging style, provides nurses working in mental health, with a valuable and comprehensive introduction to successful communication." Martina Mc Guinness, Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator, HSE Dublin, Ireland "The book is thought provoking and provides examples not only of what we should be doing but also examples of what we should not to be doing. It is a text that I would have loved to have had access to in my student days and early practice and would therefore strongly recommend this book to students and indeed beginner mental health practitioners of any discipline." Sinead Frain, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Home CareBallyfermot/Lucan Mental Health Service "This accessible book takes you through the core communications skills required as a novice through to a more advanced level... The inclusion of clinical scenarios and practice exercises demonstrate clearly how to apply theoretical elements whilst working in a clinical situation ... It is a very good read and a valuable tool for anyone stepping out into the world of mental health nursing!" Antony Johnson, Mental Health Nursing Student, University of Salford, UK "The combination of knowledgeable discussion and richly illustrated case examples makes this an innovative text and an essential resource for those who are challenged with delivering mental health care. A must read for all students." Allison Tennant, Nurse Consultant and Psychotherapist, Rampton Hospital, UK "This useful book focuses on the skills that are absolutely central and essential to all mental health nursing, from basic communication skills to specific interventions and approaches." Dr Neil Brimblecombe, Director of Nursing/Chief Operating Officer, South Staffordshire & Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust "This is a fantastic book, absolutely packed with just about everything a mental health nurse needs to know about communication skills ... The succinctly written chapters cover a wide range of key communications skills and each provides clear explanations, examples from 'everyday' life and clinical practice, with opportunities to reflect on your own experiences. Highly recommended." Alan Simpson, Professor of Collaborative Mental Health Nursing, City University London, UK This practical book provides a comprehensive guide to communication in mental health nursing, with an emphasis on demonstrating the use of different skills in various clinical settings. Written by experienced mental health professionals, the book is richly illustrated with a range of clinical case examples that will be recognisable to all nurses. Centred on the communication process as a whole, the topics are carefully presented through the use of patient-nurse dialogues and exchanges which bring the subject to life. This will help you to: Develop essential communication skills Communicate confidently Use phatic communication effectively Use self-reflection in your practice Develop the ability to deal with conflict Develop empathic helping relationships Draw upon various therapeutic models of communication Communication Skills for Mental Health Nurses is ideal for all nurses and healthcare professionals seeking to improve the skills required to communicate confidently and effectively with patients, their carers and other key people involved within the care environment.
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)
ISBN: 0335238726
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 203
Book Description
"An extremely informative and useable book covering many aspects of communication ... highly recommended for students and practitioners in the mental health field, whether nurses or not." Mental Health Practice "Learning to communicate effectively is vital for all nurses ... This exciting new book, with an accessible and engaging style, provides nurses working in mental health, with a valuable and comprehensive introduction to successful communication." Martina Mc Guinness, Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator, HSE Dublin, Ireland "The book is thought provoking and provides examples not only of what we should be doing but also examples of what we should not to be doing. It is a text that I would have loved to have had access to in my student days and early practice and would therefore strongly recommend this book to students and indeed beginner mental health practitioners of any discipline." Sinead Frain, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Home CareBallyfermot/Lucan Mental Health Service "This accessible book takes you through the core communications skills required as a novice through to a more advanced level... The inclusion of clinical scenarios and practice exercises demonstrate clearly how to apply theoretical elements whilst working in a clinical situation ... It is a very good read and a valuable tool for anyone stepping out into the world of mental health nursing!" Antony Johnson, Mental Health Nursing Student, University of Salford, UK "The combination of knowledgeable discussion and richly illustrated case examples makes this an innovative text and an essential resource for those who are challenged with delivering mental health care. A must read for all students." Allison Tennant, Nurse Consultant and Psychotherapist, Rampton Hospital, UK "This useful book focuses on the skills that are absolutely central and essential to all mental health nursing, from basic communication skills to specific interventions and approaches." Dr Neil Brimblecombe, Director of Nursing/Chief Operating Officer, South Staffordshire & Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust "This is a fantastic book, absolutely packed with just about everything a mental health nurse needs to know about communication skills ... The succinctly written chapters cover a wide range of key communications skills and each provides clear explanations, examples from 'everyday' life and clinical practice, with opportunities to reflect on your own experiences. Highly recommended." Alan Simpson, Professor of Collaborative Mental Health Nursing, City University London, UK This practical book provides a comprehensive guide to communication in mental health nursing, with an emphasis on demonstrating the use of different skills in various clinical settings. Written by experienced mental health professionals, the book is richly illustrated with a range of clinical case examples that will be recognisable to all nurses. Centred on the communication process as a whole, the topics are carefully presented through the use of patient-nurse dialogues and exchanges which bring the subject to life. This will help you to: Develop essential communication skills Communicate confidently Use phatic communication effectively Use self-reflection in your practice Develop the ability to deal with conflict Develop empathic helping relationships Draw upon various therapeutic models of communication Communication Skills for Mental Health Nurses is ideal for all nurses and healthcare professionals seeking to improve the skills required to communicate confidently and effectively with patients, their carers and other key people involved within the care environment.
Communication Skills in Mental Health Care
Author: Xavier Coll
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000878678
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 211
Book Description
Communicating effectively when addressing psychiatric and psychological problems in everyday practice can be difficult. This book provides a clear and concise guide on how to run consultations, using the Calgary-Cambridge Model. The model is applied to an extensive variety of mental health conditions, ranging from taking a good psychiatric history to specialist scenarios such as working with families and young people or breaking bad news in mental health. There are also practical and comprehensive chapters on anxiety, depression, psychosis, risk to self, mental capacity, dealing with emotions and mental health consultations in primary care. An accompanying downloadable resource enhances knowledge and promotes greater understanding through a series of simulated consultations which explore and answer the OSCE questions posed in the text. The practical, accessible and comprehensive approach helps clinicians increase their confidence in mental health consultations. It is also of great benefit to students wishing to improve their clinical skills and ultimately to pass their exams.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000878678
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 211
Book Description
Communicating effectively when addressing psychiatric and psychological problems in everyday practice can be difficult. This book provides a clear and concise guide on how to run consultations, using the Calgary-Cambridge Model. The model is applied to an extensive variety of mental health conditions, ranging from taking a good psychiatric history to specialist scenarios such as working with families and young people or breaking bad news in mental health. There are also practical and comprehensive chapters on anxiety, depression, psychosis, risk to self, mental capacity, dealing with emotions and mental health consultations in primary care. An accompanying downloadable resource enhances knowledge and promotes greater understanding through a series of simulated consultations which explore and answer the OSCE questions posed in the text. The practical, accessible and comprehensive approach helps clinicians increase their confidence in mental health consultations. It is also of great benefit to students wishing to improve their clinical skills and ultimately to pass their exams.
Improving Communication in Mental Health Settings
Author: Michelle O'Reilly
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000360857
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 246
Book Description
Improving Communication in Mental Health Settings draws on empirical studies of real-world settings to demonstrate contemporary practice-based evidence, providing effective strategies for communicating with patients/clients in mental health settings. The book integrates clinical experience and language-based evidence drawn from qualitative research. Drawing on studies that utilize scientific language-based approaches such as discourse and conversation analysis, it focuses on social interaction between professionals and patients/clients to demonstrate effective communication practices. Chapters are led by clinical professionals and feature a range of mental health settings, different mental health conditions and types of patient/client, and evidence-based recommendations. This book is an essential guide for professionals working in mental health and/or social work, and those training or working in clinical areas of mental health practice.
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000360857
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 246
Book Description
Improving Communication in Mental Health Settings draws on empirical studies of real-world settings to demonstrate contemporary practice-based evidence, providing effective strategies for communicating with patients/clients in mental health settings. The book integrates clinical experience and language-based evidence drawn from qualitative research. Drawing on studies that utilize scientific language-based approaches such as discourse and conversation analysis, it focuses on social interaction between professionals and patients/clients to demonstrate effective communication practices. Chapters are led by clinical professionals and feature a range of mental health settings, different mental health conditions and types of patient/client, and evidence-based recommendations. This book is an essential guide for professionals working in mental health and/or social work, and those training or working in clinical areas of mental health practice.
Engagement and Therapeutic Communication in Mental Health Nursing
Author: Sandra Walker
Publisher: Learning Matters
ISBN: 1473905265
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 161
Book Description
Being able to engage with service users and communicate effectively is a fundamental skill identified by the NMC and required of all mental health nurses. The reality is that building rapport and developing therapeutic relationships does not come instinctively for everyone. The authors have responded to this with a book that explains the different communication theories and models and goes on to show students how they work in the real world. Innovative exercises encourage reflection and enable students to practice their developing communication skills as they progress. Throughout the book the authors are focussed on promoting recovery and have put the service user at the centre of the discussion, ensuring that their voice is heard. Key features: - Covers the communication content of the new NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters for pre-registration degree-level nursing education - Focussed on promoting recovery and adopts a person-centred approach - Interactive style using realistic scenarios and case studies making theory easy to apply to practice - Includes a chapter co-authored by a service user offering a unique insight.
Publisher: Learning Matters
ISBN: 1473905265
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 161
Book Description
Being able to engage with service users and communicate effectively is a fundamental skill identified by the NMC and required of all mental health nurses. The reality is that building rapport and developing therapeutic relationships does not come instinctively for everyone. The authors have responded to this with a book that explains the different communication theories and models and goes on to show students how they work in the real world. Innovative exercises encourage reflection and enable students to practice their developing communication skills as they progress. Throughout the book the authors are focussed on promoting recovery and have put the service user at the centre of the discussion, ensuring that their voice is heard. Key features: - Covers the communication content of the new NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters for pre-registration degree-level nursing education - Focussed on promoting recovery and adopts a person-centred approach - Interactive style using realistic scenarios and case studies making theory easy to apply to practice - Includes a chapter co-authored by a service user offering a unique insight.
Foundations of Mental Health Care - E-Book
Author: Michelle Morrison-Valfre
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
ISBN: 0323371043
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 459
Book Description
Build a broad fundamental knowledge of mental health concepts and disorders with Foundations of Mental Health Care, 6th Edition — perfect for students, nurses, and other health care providers. This market-leading text features new psychotropic drug content and concise explanations of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors, as well as descriptions of the most current therapeutic interventions and treatments for mental health conditions. It helps you work comfortably with clients who exhibit a wide range of maladaptive human behaviors, and apply the concepts of holistic care when assisting clients in developing more effective attitudes and behaviors. Sample Client Care Plans address how members of the health care team work collaboratively to meet client needs. Realistic case studies illustrate chapter concepts, strengthen critical thinking, and ensure you consider psychosocial aspects of therapeutic care. Critical Thinking boxes include practice scenarios and contain thought-provoking client issues and questions that stimulate critical thinking. Cultural Consideration boxes highlight cultural issues and encourage you to attend to the mental health needs of culturally diverse clients. Drug Alert boxes focus attention on medication issues and identify the risks and possible adverse reactions of psychotherapeutic medications. Key terms with phonetic pronunciations, text page references, and a comprehensive glossary strengthen your understanding of mental health terminology. Numbered chapter objectives provide a framework for the chapter content and the accompanying TEACH Lesson Plans. NEW! Content on the impact of the Affordable Care Act on mental health coverage and treatment informs you of the most current treatment options. NEW! Up-to-date coverage of the latest psychotropic medications emphasizes the most recent findings in safe pharmaceutical treatment in mental health care. EXPANDED and NEW! Increased coverage of mental health surrounding mass violence keeps you up to date on the latest issues and approaches to treatment. UPDATED! Current content on mental health issues and returning war veterans highlights mental health disorders affecting this population. NEW! Discusses emerging mental health issues surrounding usage of electronic devices and the Internet, such as addiction. NEW! Addresses updated DSM 5 diagnoses within appropriate chapters to ensure you have the latest information on new mental health diagnoses recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
ISBN: 0323371043
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 459
Book Description
Build a broad fundamental knowledge of mental health concepts and disorders with Foundations of Mental Health Care, 6th Edition — perfect for students, nurses, and other health care providers. This market-leading text features new psychotropic drug content and concise explanations of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors, as well as descriptions of the most current therapeutic interventions and treatments for mental health conditions. It helps you work comfortably with clients who exhibit a wide range of maladaptive human behaviors, and apply the concepts of holistic care when assisting clients in developing more effective attitudes and behaviors. Sample Client Care Plans address how members of the health care team work collaboratively to meet client needs. Realistic case studies illustrate chapter concepts, strengthen critical thinking, and ensure you consider psychosocial aspects of therapeutic care. Critical Thinking boxes include practice scenarios and contain thought-provoking client issues and questions that stimulate critical thinking. Cultural Consideration boxes highlight cultural issues and encourage you to attend to the mental health needs of culturally diverse clients. Drug Alert boxes focus attention on medication issues and identify the risks and possible adverse reactions of psychotherapeutic medications. Key terms with phonetic pronunciations, text page references, and a comprehensive glossary strengthen your understanding of mental health terminology. Numbered chapter objectives provide a framework for the chapter content and the accompanying TEACH Lesson Plans. NEW! Content on the impact of the Affordable Care Act on mental health coverage and treatment informs you of the most current treatment options. NEW! Up-to-date coverage of the latest psychotropic medications emphasizes the most recent findings in safe pharmaceutical treatment in mental health care. EXPANDED and NEW! Increased coverage of mental health surrounding mass violence keeps you up to date on the latest issues and approaches to treatment. UPDATED! Current content on mental health issues and returning war veterans highlights mental health disorders affecting this population. NEW! Discusses emerging mental health issues surrounding usage of electronic devices and the Internet, such as addiction. NEW! Addresses updated DSM 5 diagnoses within appropriate chapters to ensure you have the latest information on new mental health diagnoses recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.
Dying in America
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309303133
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 470
Book Description
For patients and their loved ones, no care decisions are more profound than those made near the end of life. Unfortunately, the experience of dying in the United States is often characterized by fragmented care, inadequate treatment of distressing symptoms, frequent transitions among care settings, and enormous care responsibilities for families. According to this report, the current health care system of rendering more intensive services than are necessary and desired by patients, and the lack of coordination among programs increases risks to patients and creates avoidable burdens on them and their families. Dying in America is a study of the current state of health care for persons of all ages who are nearing the end of life. Death is not a strictly medical event. Ideally, health care for those nearing the end of life harmonizes with social, psychological, and spiritual support. All people with advanced illnesses who may be approaching the end of life are entitled to access to high-quality, compassionate, evidence-based care, consistent with their wishes. Dying in America evaluates strategies to integrate care into a person- and family-centered, team-based framework, and makes recommendations to create a system that coordinates care and supports and respects the choices of patients and their families. The findings and recommendations of this report will address the needs of patients and their families and assist policy makers, clinicians and their educational and credentialing bodies, leaders of health care delivery and financing organizations, researchers, public and private funders, religious and community leaders, advocates of better care, journalists, and the public to provide the best care possible for people nearing the end of life.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309303133
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 470
Book Description
For patients and their loved ones, no care decisions are more profound than those made near the end of life. Unfortunately, the experience of dying in the United States is often characterized by fragmented care, inadequate treatment of distressing symptoms, frequent transitions among care settings, and enormous care responsibilities for families. According to this report, the current health care system of rendering more intensive services than are necessary and desired by patients, and the lack of coordination among programs increases risks to patients and creates avoidable burdens on them and their families. Dying in America is a study of the current state of health care for persons of all ages who are nearing the end of life. Death is not a strictly medical event. Ideally, health care for those nearing the end of life harmonizes with social, psychological, and spiritual support. All people with advanced illnesses who may be approaching the end of life are entitled to access to high-quality, compassionate, evidence-based care, consistent with their wishes. Dying in America evaluates strategies to integrate care into a person- and family-centered, team-based framework, and makes recommendations to create a system that coordinates care and supports and respects the choices of patients and their families. The findings and recommendations of this report will address the needs of patients and their families and assist policy makers, clinicians and their educational and credentialing bodies, leaders of health care delivery and financing organizations, researchers, public and private funders, religious and community leaders, advocates of better care, journalists, and the public to provide the best care possible for people nearing the end of life.
Communicating Mental Health
Author: Lance R. Lippert
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1498578020
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 405
Book Description
Communicating Mental Health: History, Contexts, and Perspectives explores mental health through the lens of the communication discipline. In the first section, contributors describe the major contributions of the communication discipline as it pertains to a broader perspective and stigma of mental health. In the second section, contributors investigate mental health through various narrative perspectives. In the third and fourth sections, contributors consider many applied contexts such as media, education, and family. At the conclusion, contributors discuss the ways in which future inquiries regarding mental health in the communication discipline can be investigated. Scholars of health communication, mental health, psychology, history, and sociology will find this volume particularly useful.
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1498578020
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 405
Book Description
Communicating Mental Health: History, Contexts, and Perspectives explores mental health through the lens of the communication discipline. In the first section, contributors describe the major contributions of the communication discipline as it pertains to a broader perspective and stigma of mental health. In the second section, contributors investigate mental health through various narrative perspectives. In the third and fourth sections, contributors consider many applied contexts such as media, education, and family. At the conclusion, contributors discuss the ways in which future inquiries regarding mental health in the communication discipline can be investigated. Scholars of health communication, mental health, psychology, history, and sociology will find this volume particularly useful.
Therapeutic Communication in Mental Health Nursing
Author: Shira Birnbaum
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351998021
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 106
Book Description
Awarded first place in the 2017 AJN Book of the Year Awards in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. This book introduces an innovative technique for therapeutic communication in mental health nursing, expanding the toolkit for nurses seeking to engage challenging patients who have not responded to more conventional therapeutic methods. Linking nursing communication to current research on metaphor and figuration, it is illustrated with accessible clinical examples. Metaphor is a key component of talk-based psychotherapies. But many of the patients whom nurses encounter in the inpatient setting are not good candidates for talk-based approaches, at least initially, because they are violent, withdrawn, highly regressed, or otherwise lacking a vocabulary to convey thoughts and feelings. This book offers specific clinical examples of an approach called the "gestural bridge." This is a method for structuring games and physical activities which connect metaphorically to a patient’s personal themes, activating narrative and observational agency and enabling an exchange of meaning to begin at a time when conventional language is not available. Rooted in what nursing theorists have called the "embodied" or "aesthetic" way of knowing, this approach is both specific and easily grasped. Drawing from contemporary work in literary theory, semiotics, metaphor theory, cognitive science, philosophy, linguistics, psychoanalysis, and the arts, Therapeutic Communication in Mental Health Nursing is important reading for advanced-level practitioners, students, and researchers interested in communication and relationship-building in nursing.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351998021
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 106
Book Description
Awarded first place in the 2017 AJN Book of the Year Awards in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. This book introduces an innovative technique for therapeutic communication in mental health nursing, expanding the toolkit for nurses seeking to engage challenging patients who have not responded to more conventional therapeutic methods. Linking nursing communication to current research on metaphor and figuration, it is illustrated with accessible clinical examples. Metaphor is a key component of talk-based psychotherapies. But many of the patients whom nurses encounter in the inpatient setting are not good candidates for talk-based approaches, at least initially, because they are violent, withdrawn, highly regressed, or otherwise lacking a vocabulary to convey thoughts and feelings. This book offers specific clinical examples of an approach called the "gestural bridge." This is a method for structuring games and physical activities which connect metaphorically to a patient’s personal themes, activating narrative and observational agency and enabling an exchange of meaning to begin at a time when conventional language is not available. Rooted in what nursing theorists have called the "embodied" or "aesthetic" way of knowing, this approach is both specific and easily grasped. Drawing from contemporary work in literary theory, semiotics, metaphor theory, cognitive science, philosophy, linguistics, psychoanalysis, and the arts, Therapeutic Communication in Mental Health Nursing is important reading for advanced-level practitioners, students, and researchers interested in communication and relationship-building in nursing.