Effective Communication:

• Is a learned skill
• Is a two-way street interaction.
• The purpose is to convey a message so that it is received and understood by someone in exactly the way it was intended.
• The goal is to listen in order to gain the full meaning of what is
being said and to make the other person feel heard and understood.
• In the day to day interactions, one seeks to communicate with friends and family with the hope that their concerns would be heard/ to experience relief.

Ineffective communication can destroy a relationship, whether it is a friendship, marriage, business partnership and/or parent/child relationship. Effective communication is a skill that can be taught and it is essential in every aspect of one’s life.

Rules of engagement/communication are passed from between generations. Poor communication skills can be unlearned.

There are two pivotal factors to healthy communication: active listening and validation.

Active Listening
Listening with the intent to hear the emotions behind the words. Once you are able to identify the emotions that the other person may be experiencing, you then can reflect their emotions back to them. Reflecting back their emotions indicates that you are listening. Active listening is one of the way you can demonstrate empathy.

Validation:
Recognizing and accepting an individual’s internal experience as their own, their valid experience. Validating one’s experience does not mean you agree with their perceptions or decisions.

If you and your loved one are experiencing roadblocks in communication, know that you are not alone. Seek help to introduce or regain healthy communication in your relationships. Support is available for you through EMBRACE Therapy

By Agathe C. Pierre-Louis Psy.D