Which line best demonstrates therapeutic communication?

• A. Tell me about your day.
• B. How did it make you feel when she said that?
• C. You should calm down.
• D. That isn't true.

Answer: (B)

Therapeutic communication centers on inviting a client to explore their feelings and experiences with empathy and without judgment. The line that best demonstrates this is the one that asks about emotions in response to a remark: “How did it make you feel when she said that?” This open-ended, reflective question invites the client to articulate their feelings, helps them connect emotionally to the situation, and encourages ongoing dialogue. It validates the client’s experience and fosters processing rather than shut-down or direct advice.

Tell me about your day is a friendly prompt, but it’s broad and doesn’t specifically center on emotions or validation in the moment. It may start a conversation, yet it doesn’t inherently encourage emotional exploration.

That’s not true tries to correct the client or deny their feelings, which can shut down self-expression and undermine trust. It’s not supportive of a therapeutic, nonjudgmental stance.

Calm down is directive and can feel dismissive, which also undermines the goal of helping the client feel understood and safe to share.