CPD focus: importance of listening in developing therapeutic relationships

Listening is one of the key skills that mental health nurses require to develop therapeutic relationships with patients. This article identifies the features and effects of listening and explains why it is a core aspect of mental health nursing practice. It discusses various listening skills that are important for nurses, including validation, reflection, non-verbal behaviours, empathy and the use of silence. It also outlines several barriers to effective listening and considers how nurses could address them. The author encourages nurses to reflect on how they communicate with, and listen to, patients, considering how they could enhance their skills in these areas to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships.