Empathic Communication: Affirming Strengths and Apologizing

Elizabeth Morrison, an expert motivational interviewing trainer, returns to share best practices in empathy-based communication for virtual health care settings. This episode is for anyone who wants to learn more of these key techniques for phone and video visits.

Morrison tells us:

• Affirming strengths means noticing and amplifying a person’s values and goodness. By affirming strengths, we show people that we are focused and attuned to what is best about them, their inherent worth and unique abilities. This strengths perspective represents a paradigm shift in the field of health care. It is a move away from traditional deficit and pathology-based communication models and towards truly whole-person care.
• If a rift in a conversation opens up, use “repair strategies” to rebuild the trust and relationship at hand. These strategies include expressing apology, regret, and wishes.

Here’s where you can learn more about the people, places, and ideas in this episode: 

• Elizabeth Morrison Consulting
• Rsourced, Morrison’s curated collection of human-centered resources
• Empathic Communication in Phone and Video Visits
• What Exactly Is Motivational Interviewing?
• Webinar: Empathic Communication Strategies for Telemedicine

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