Psychology-Seminar

Presentation

Communications
R0123006 Eswari.A.D
R0123007 Dhanyaa Sivakumar Kripa
R0123008 Ezhil Joshua.P
R0123009 Vinay Raj.M.R
R0123010 Sashaank.S.A
 CONTENTS

-Introduction to communication
-Types of communication
-Elements in communication
-Barriers to good communication
-Developing effective communication
-Specific communication techniques
-Introduction to counselling
-Definition and aim of counselling
-Counselling vs guidance
-Principles in counselling
-Personality qualities of counsellors
 Introduction to communication
Communication is the process of exchanging
information, ideas, thoughts, or feelings between
individuals or groups.

It can occur through various mediums such as spoken or

written words, gestures, body language, or digital
means like emails and social media.

Effective communication is crucial in personal,

professional, and social contexts, as it helps build
relationships, resolve conflicts, and achieve common
goals.

The key elements of communication include the

sender, message, medium, receiver, and feedback.
 TYPES OF
COMMUNICATION
Communication can be broadly categorized into two main types: *verbal* and *non-
verbal*. Each type has its own methods and importance in conveying messages
effectively.

1. Verbal Communication:
Verbal communication involves the use of words to convey messages. It can be further
divided into two types:

- Oral Communication:
- This includes face-to-face conversations, phone calls, video chats, meetings,
presentations, and public speaking.
- It's immediate and allows for real-time feedback and interaction.
- The tone, pitch, and pace of speaking can influence how the message is received.

- Written Communication:
- This includes emails, letters, reports, text messages, social media posts, and memos.
- It's more permanent than oral communication and can be referenced later.
- Clarity and correctness are crucial to avoid misunderstandings.
2. Non-Verbal Communication:

Non-verbal communication involves conveying messages without the use of words. It

often complements verbal communication and can sometimes convey more meaning
than words alone. Types of non-verbal communication include:

- Body Language:
- This includes gestures, posture, facial expressions, and eye contact.
- It can convey emotions, attitudes, and reactions that may not be expressed
verbally.

- Paralinguistics:
- This refers to the tone, pitch, volume, and speed of speaking.
- It helps to convey the speaker's emotions and can change the meaning of the words
spoken.

- Facial Expressions:
- Expressions like smiling, frowning, or raising eyebrows can convey a wide range of
emotions.
- They are often universal and understood across different cultures.
- Gestures
- Movements of the hands, arms, or other parts of the body can emphasize a point or convey
specific messages.
- Examples include waving, pointing, or giving a thumbs-up.

- Proxemics:
- This involves the use of personal space in communication.
- The distance between people when they interact can indicate the nature of their
relationship or the context of the communication.

- Eye Contact:
- Maintaining or avoiding eye contact can convey confidence, interest, honesty, or discomfort.
- It varies significantly across cultures.

- Appearance:
- The way a person dresses, grooms, and presents themselves can communicate
professionalism, status, or attitude.

- Haptics:
- This involves the use of touch in communication, such as handshakes, hugs, or pats on the
back.
- The meaning of touch can vary depending on the relationship and cultural context.
 ELEMENTS IN
COMMUNICATION

COmmunication is a complex process that involves several key elements.

These elements work together to ensure that a message is effectively
sent, received, and understood. Here are the primary elements in
communication:

1. Sender: The person or entity that initiates the communication. The sender creates
and transmits the message.

2. Message: The content of the communication. This includes the information, ideas, or
feelings that the sender wants to convey.

3. Encoding: The process of converting the message into symbols, such as words,
gestures, or images, so it can be communicated. This is done by the sender.

4. Channel: The medium through which the message is transmitted. This can be verbal
(spoken words) or non-verbal (written text, body language, visual aids). Common
channels include face-to-face communication, phone calls, emails, social media, etc.
5. Receiver: The person or entity for whom the message is intended. The
receiver decodes or interprets the message.

6. Decoding: The process by which the receiver interprets or makes sense of the
encoded message.

7. Feedback: The response or reaction of the receiver to the sender’s message.

Feedback allows the sender to know whether the message was understood
correctly or if clarification is needed.

8. Context: The environment or situation in which the communication takes

place. This includes the cultural, social, physical, and psychological aspects that
influence the communication.

9. Noise: Any interference or barrier that distorts or disrupts the communication

process. Noise can be physical (like background sounds), psychological (like
preconceptions), or semantic (misunderstanding of words or symbols).
 BARRIERS TO GOOD COMMUNICATION

1) Stereotypes in patients:stereotypes can

directly and indirectly affect their trust in
doctors.patients' stereotypes had a stronger
effect on their trust than doctors'
communication skills.

2)Patient characteristics can contribute to

communication barriers in a variety of ways:

-Language
-Culture
-Age
-Disabilities
-Pain and discomfort
-Emotional state
-Family interference
-Environmental factors
3)Patient knowledge can sometimes lead to
communication barriers in healthcare settings:
-Physical disabilities
-Stress
-Unrealistic expectations
-Fear

4)Lack of trust: If there is a lack of trust, it can become

harder to convey information.

5)Language barriers: Language differences between

patients and practitioners can create strained
interactions

6)Medical terminology: The use of medical words can

be a barrier to communication.

7)Lack of time: Providers may not have enough time to

communicate well with patients.
DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Be clear and concise: Focus on clarity and brevity in your messages.

Be an active listener: Actively listening can help you build relationships, solve problems, and
improve processes.

Pay attention to nonverbal cues: Pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues, such as
body language and tone, to ensure your message is received as intended.

Practice empathy: Consider the receiver's perspective and be open to feedback.

Know your target audience: Create a detailed profile of your ideal customer by identifying
who they are, what their expectations and preferences are, and how they wish to
communicate with.
Use visual communication: Visual communication
can supplement what you say and give listeners a
tangible example.

Deliver a message: How you deliver a message

determines how well a recipient will understand and
react to the information being conveyed by the sender.

Use written communication: When done correctly,

written communication can leave a lasting impression
on the audience.
 SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
1. Active Listening
- Focus: Pay full attention to the speaker without interrupting.
- Reflect: Paraphrase or summarize what the speaker has said to show
understanding.
- Respond: Acknowledge the speaker's feelings or concerns.

2. Nonverbal Communication
- Body Language: Use open gestures, maintain eye contact, and avoid crossing
arms.
- Facial Expressions: Ensure your expressions match the message you’re
conveying.
- Posture: Stand or sit with a posture that conveys confidence and interest.

3. Clarity and Conciseness

- Be Direct: Get to the point without unnecessary details.
- Use Simple Language: Avoid jargon or overly complex words.
- Stay on Topic: Keep the conversation focused on the main subject.
4. Empathy
- Show Understanding: Express empathy by acknowledging the other person's
emotions.
- Be Supportive: Offer support or assistance where appropriate.
- Validate Feelings: Let the other person know their feelings are valid.

5. Open-Ended Questions
- Encourage Dialogue: Use questions that require more than a yes/no answer.
- Explore Ideas: Ask questions that prompt deeper thinking or elaboration.
- Clarify Understanding: Use questions to ensure you have correctly understood the
speaker.

6.Feedback
- Be Constructive: Offer feedback in a positive, helpful manner.
- Be Specific: Focus on specific behaviors or outcomes rather than general statements.
- Balance Positive and Negative: Mix positive reinforcement with suggestions for
improvement.

7. Tone of Voice
- Match Your Message: Ensure your tone reflects the intent of your message.
- Avoid Monotony: Use variations in pitch and pace to keep the listener engaged.
- Stay Calm: Especially in stressful situations, maintaining a calm tone can defuse
8. Storytelling
- Engage Emotionally: Use stories to make your message relatable and memorable.
- Illustrate Points: Use anecdotes or examples to clarify complex ideas.
- Keep It Relevant: Ensure the story directly relates to the point you’re making.

9. Assertiveness
- Express Yourself: Clearly and respectfully state your needs, desires, and boundaries.
- Stand Firm: Be confident in your position without being aggressive.
- Respect Others: Acknowledge the other person’s viewpoint while maintaining your stance.

10. Adaptability
- Know Your Audience: Tailor your communication style to the audience.
- Be Flexible: Adjust your approach if you notice it’s not resonating.

11.Pausing
- Create Emphasis: Use pauses to highlight important points.
- Allow Processing Time: Give the listener time to absorb what you’ve said.
- Control the Pace: Use pauses to slow down the conversation and prevent
misunderstandings.

Incorporating these techniques into your communication can lead to more effective and
meaningful interactions.
 INTRODUCTION

Counselling is a type of talking therapy that allows a person to talk about

their problems and feelings in a confidential and dependable environment.

A counsellor is trained to listen with empathy (by putting themselves in your

shoes). They can help you deal with any negative thoughts and feelings you
have.

Sometimes the term "counselling" is used to refer to talking therapies in

general, but counselling is also a type of therapy in its own right.

Other psychological therapies include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural

therapy (CBT), and relationship therapy, which could be between members of
a family, a couple, or work colleagues.
 AIMS OF COUNSELLING

Talking therapies such as counselling can

be used to help with many different
mental health conditions, including:

depression
anxiety
borderline personality disorder (BPD)
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
long-term illnesses
eating disorders, such as anorexia and
bulimia
drug misuse
Counselling aims to help you deal with and overcome issues that are causing
emotional pain or making you feel uncomfortable.
It can provide a safe and regular space for you to talk and explore difficult feelings. The
counsellor is there to support you and respect your views. They won't usually give
advice, but will help you find your own insights into and understanding of your
problems.

Counselling can help you:

-cope with a bereavement or relationship breakdown

-cope with redundancy or work-related stress
-explore issues such as sexual identity
-deal with issues preventing you achieving your ambitions
-deal with feelings of depression or sadness, and have a more positive outlook on life
-deal with feelings of anxiety, helping you worry less about things
-understand yourself and your problems better
-feel more confident
-develop a better understanding of other people's points of view
 COUNSELLING VS GUIDANCE
Counselling and guidance are two related but distinct concepts, particularly in educational and psychological
contexts. Here’s a comparison:

Counselling:

- Focus: Counseling is more therapeutic and focuses on addressing personal, emotional, or

psychological issues. It helps individuals explore and resolve problems, improve mental health, and
develop coping strategies.

- Approach: It often involves a more in-depth, one-on-one interaction between a counselor and the
individual. It may include exploring feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

- Duration: Counseling can be short-term or long-term, depending on the nature of the issues being
addressed.

- Professional Involvement: Counselors are usually trained professionals, such as psychologists,

therapists, or social workers, who use specific techniques to help individuals understand and manage
their problems.

- Examples: A person seeking help for anxiety, depression, or relationship issues might go to a
counselor.
Guidance:

- Focus: Guidance is more about providing advice, information, or

direction to help individuals make decisions, often related to education,
careers, or personal development.
- Approach: It tends to be more directive, offering specific
recommendations or resources. The interaction might be more general
and less intensive than counseling.
- Duration: Guidance is usually short-term and focused on a particular
decision or set of decisions.
- Professional Involvement: Guidance can be provided by teachers,
mentors, career advisors, or other professionals who may not have
specialized therapeutic training.
- Examples: A student seeking advice on choosing a college major or
career path might receive guidance from a school counselor.
Key Differences:

- Depth: Counselling typically goes

deeper into personal issues, while
guidance is more about providing
direction or advice.
- Purpose: Counseling aims to help with
emotional or psychological healing,
whereas guidance is about helping
individuals make informed decisions.
- Role of the Professional: Counselors
are more likely to have specialized
training in therapy, while those
providing guidance may have expertise
in specific fields like education or
career planning.
Some principles of counseling include:
•Empathy: The ability to understand what others feel and see things from their perspective. Instead of
showing sympathy, you can put yourself in the patient's shoes and then give reflections accordingly.

•Confidentiality

•Respect for client autonomy

•Non-judgmental attitude

•Cultural sensitivity and competence

•Trust and rapport

•Collaborative approach

•Professional boundaries

•Ethical and legal standards

 Qualities of a good counselor:
Empathy
Counselors should work on empathizing with clients by actively listening and communicating.
Empathy gives counselors the patience and understanding to provide the best care to their clients.
Active listening
Counselors should be excellent listeners and observers, going beyond verbal language. A lot of
information is transmitted through body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal
communication.
Communication
Counselors need strong communication skills to build relationships with their clients and encourage
them to share more about their struggles.
Flexibility
Counselors should create individualized treatment plans for each client, rather than following a rigid
schedule or "one size fits all" approach.
 Confidentiality
Counselors are ethically bound to maintain confidentiality, except in situations where there is a risk of
self-harm, harm to others, or child abuse.
Patience
Counselors need to be patient because not every client will open up immediately, and progress can
take time. They should remain positive and focused on the end goal, and not feel discouraged if it
takes longer to help their clients.
Self-awareness
Counselors need to be self-aware to work safely and ethically with their clients. Self-awareness can
also help counselors reach self-acceptance and move towards self-actualization.

#Other qualities of a good counselor include:Confidence, Non-judgmental, Observant, Trust, Respectful,

Acceptance, Appreciation, and Honesty.
THANK YOU