Therapeutic communication is one of the most essential soft skills for every nurse—and one that’s heavily tested on the NCLEX. Whether you’re an RN nurse caring for a distressed patient, or a registered nurse working in a high-pressure clinical setting, the words you choose can build trust, reduce anxiety, and promote healing.
This guide breaks down real therapeutic phrases that nurses can use in practice, along with examples to help you master this vital NCLEX topic.
💬 What Is Therapeutic Communication in Nursing?
Therapeutic communication is a professional, purposeful way for nurses to interact with patients. Its goal is to support the patient’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being while encouraging them to express their feelings.
In nursing, this means using active listening, empathy, and open-ended questions—instead of giving advice or changing the subject.
✅ NCLEX Tip: Questions about therapeutic communication often ask what the nurse should say next—focus on listening, empathy, and supporting expression.
🧠 Why Therapeutic Communication Matters
- Builds trust and rapport with patients
- Encourages patients to verbalize fears and feelings
- Helps nurses gather accurate assessment data
- Promotes patient compliance and comfort
- Strengthens therapeutic relationships, especially in psychiatric and mental health nursing
It’s not just a soft skill—it’s a nursing intervention that every RN nurse should master for both real-world practice and NCLEX success.
💡 Top Therapeutic Communication Phrases for Nurses
Here are the phrases that actually work, categorized by their purpose:
🔹 1. Encouraging Expression
These invite the patient to share more about their feelings or thoughts:
- “Tell me more about how you’re feeling today.”
- “What has this experience been like for you?”
- “It sounds like this has been really difficult.”
🔹 2. Showing Empathy
These show understanding without judgment:
- “I can see this is very hard for you.”
- “That sounds really painful.”
- “It’s understandable to feel that way.”
✅ NCLEX Tip: Empathy statements validate the patient’s emotions—never dismiss them or change the topic.
🔹 3. Reflecting or Paraphrasing
Helps the patient know you’re truly listening:
- “You’re saying that you feel alone since your diagnosis?”
- “So you’re worried about what comes next?”
🔹 4. Offering Self
When patients feel isolated, the nurse can offer presence:
- “I’ll stay with you for a while.”
- “I’m here to listen if you’d like to talk.”
This simple act can build immense trust between a registered nurse and the patient.
🔹 5. Clarifying or Focusing
Used to ensure understanding and keep communication goal-oriented:
- “Can you explain what you mean when you say you feel ‘off’?”
- “Let’s focus on what worries you most right now.”
🔹 6. Giving Broad Openings
Encourages patients to lead the conversation:
- “Where would you like to start today?”
- “What would you like to talk about?”
🔹 7. Summarizing
Shows active listening and transitions the conversation:
- “You’ve told me that your pain has been increasing and it’s making you anxious. Did I get that right?”
✅ This is often seen in NCLEX communication questions—look for options where the nurse restates or summarizes the patient’s words.
🚫 Non-Therapeutic Communication to Avoid
These responses block communication and harm trust:
- ❌ “You’ll be fine, don’t worry.” (False reassurance)
- ❌ “You should do this.” (Giving advice)
- ❌ “Why do you feel that way?” (Demanding explanation)
- ❌ “Let’s talk about something else.” (Changing the subject)
Avoiding these is key for both nursing practice and NCLEX test success.
🧩 Therapeutic Communication and the NCLEX
On the NCLEX, therapeutic communication questions often ask:
“Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?”
Choose the option that:
- Acknowledges feelings
- Encourages expression
- Avoids giving advice
- Uses empathy and understanding
🩺 Pro tip: The correct NCLEX answer is usually the one that helps the patient talk more—not the one that gives quick reassurance.
📚 Nursing Study Tip
If you’re reviewing therapeutic communication as part of your nursing bundle, practice by writing two responses for every patient statement—one therapeutic and one non-therapeutic.
This helps you identify what builds vs. blocks communication—an essential skill for every registered nurse and RN nurse preparing for clinical practice or NCLEX exams.
✅ Final Thoughts
Therapeutic communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about connection, empathy, and trust. As a nurse, your words can calm anxiety, reduce fear, and open the door to healing.
Whether you’re studying through a nursing bundle for the NCLEX or practicing at the bedside, using these therapeutic phrases will help you deliver compassionate, patient-centered care—every time.
🩺 FAQs About Therapeutic Communication in Nursing
Therapeutic communication is a professional way for a nurse to interact with patients using empathy, active listening, and understanding. It helps patients express their feelings and improves trust between the registered nurse (RN nurse) and the patient. This communication style is a key concept on the NCLEX and in everyday nursing care.
For every nurse, communication is a vital part of patient care. Therapeutic communication helps build rapport, reduces anxiety, and allows patients to feel heard and supported. It also ensures accurate assessment and strengthens the nurse–patient relationship, making it a core skill for both clinical practice and NCLEX exams.
Here are some therapeutic communication phrases that work well in nursing practice:
“Tell me more about how you’re feeling.”
“I can see that this is very hard for you.”
“It sounds like you’re worried about your recovery.”
“I’m here to listen if you’d like to talk.”
These phrases encourage open dialogue and show empathy—key traits for every registered nurse and RN nurse.
A nurse should avoid non-therapeutic responses like:
“You’ll be fine.” (False reassurance)
“You should do this.” (Giving advice)
“Why do you feel that way?” (Demanding justification)
“Let’s talk about something else.” (Changing the subject)
These responses block communication and are incorrect on the NCLEX when testing therapeutic communication.
On the NCLEX, the right answer is usually the one that:
Acknowledges the patient’s feelings
Encourages expression
Avoids giving false reassurance or advice
Demonstrates empathy and support
The nurse’s role is to help the patient share—not to fix the problem immediately.