The four phases of a comprehensive interview are the preparatory phase , the introductory phase , the maintenance phase , and the termination phase . The process of therapeutic communication in nursing consists of several steps: develop communication goals, create the message, deliver the message, listen to the response, and seek clarification of the response.

The primary characteristics of therapeutic communication are building trust through honesty, active listening , and respecting patients’ beliefs and values. To evaluate therapeutic communication, one must reflect on the patient’s response and compare the response to the desired communication goals

introductory phase — nurses introduce themselves and begin to obtain essential information about patients as individuals with unique needs, values, beliefs, and priorities; during this phase, trust…. maintenance phase — majority of the nurse’s time with the patient; during this phase, nurses use active listening and begin by asking the reason the patient is seeking care; the answer helps to…. health literacy — an individual's ability to obtain, understand, and apply basic health information and services to make informed decisions about their health. therapeutic communication — the specific techniques and strategies used by nurses to establish a therapeutic relationship with patients and promote the patient’s well-being.