Nonverbal comunication
Level 2 Award in Introduction in Counselling –ICSK0535/13/J
24/10/13
Weekly journal
-5-
Communication between two persons happens when a message is sent by someone and received by someone else. Nonverbal communication begins before a single word is heard and as helpers we need to be aware of the impact of this type of communication.
Our gestures and our face mimics are the first things that our helpee is seeing. What we say and what we show needs to be consistent for the helpee to feel understood. Studies have shown that if there is a discrepancy between verbal and nonverbal then the nonverbal attitude will be taken as true attitude.
Nonverbal communication is represented by voice and body language. The intonation and the tone of our voice projects expressions. A pause combined with a certain body language can reveal about you a sign of hesitation or uneasiness. An eye shrug can mean frustration, a winking means friendly acknowledgement. A biting lip shows tension and a head down could mean the helpee is not interested in the subject.
There are many types of nonverbal communication. Together they show the other person the interest you invest in the communication relationship. Facial expression, body movements and posture, gestures, eye contact, touch, space, voice are all sending cues and signals to your helpee.
When body language and speech are mirrored or synchronized between people this tends to assist the process of creating good relations. (a mutual feeling of empathy, understanding, trust). When another person displays similar body language to your own, this makes you react unconsciously to feel, "This person is like me and agrees with the way I am. “
The truth is that nonverbal communication can’t be faked but in counselling sessions being aware of your body language and the impact of your nonverbal signals have a great
24/10/13
Weekly journal
-5-
Communication between two persons happens when a message is sent by someone and received by someone else. Nonverbal communication begins before a single word is heard and as helpers we need to be aware of the impact of this type of communication.
Our gestures and our face mimics are the first things that our helpee is seeing. What we say and what we show needs to be consistent for the helpee to feel understood. Studies have shown that if there is a discrepancy between verbal and nonverbal then the nonverbal attitude will be taken as true attitude.
Nonverbal communication is represented by voice and body language. The intonation and the tone of our voice projects expressions. A pause combined with a certain body language can reveal about you a sign of hesitation or uneasiness. An eye shrug can mean frustration, a winking means friendly acknowledgement. A biting lip shows tension and a head down could mean the helpee is not interested in the subject.
There are many types of nonverbal communication. Together they show the other person the interest you invest in the communication relationship. Facial expression, body movements and posture, gestures, eye contact, touch, space, voice are all sending cues and signals to your helpee.
When body language and speech are mirrored or synchronized between people this tends to assist the process of creating good relations. (a mutual feeling of empathy, understanding, trust). When another person displays similar body language to your own, this makes you react unconsciously to feel, "This person is like me and agrees with the way I am. “
The truth is that nonverbal communication can’t be faked but in counselling sessions being aware of your body language and the impact of your nonverbal signals have a great