By keeping our mouths shut and not try to anticipate our reply. Focus with eyes, body language and mind on the person speaking. This helps them relax and speak thoughtfully.

http://www.lscc.edu/academics/nursing/CN%20I%20Forms/techstherapeuticcommunication.pdf

The "theaputic communication" skills that they teach for nursing are really just good listening skills. When I was in school (I graduated last year), I practiced on my kids. My daughter picked up on it right away. She didn't know exactly what I was doing...just that I was doing something. It's definitely a skill. Really works though....in almost all situations.

cool. my teachers in school always said i have a listening problem. for example.when someone is telling me something, i have only hear the first half and the last bit i end up losing. in the past, teachers nor my parents didnt bother to help me with my problem. my teachers said i have a learning problem but my therapist doesnt think so who knows.

i dont have a good comprehension skill so i have to ask the same question a few times so it can register within me. i want to take a class on it but u gotta pay for it i need to call them and ask them about getting a scholarship. if only they teach therapeutic communication for non nurses when i was in college.

When listening, I usually try to understand the person's emotions also while he/she is talking. This helps me to understand much better what they are saying. That person can feel that I'm paying attention, and this makes the communication much easier.

Sometimes we have to exercise a lot of patience to be good listeners. Some people have a tendency to talk for long periods without letting us get a word in. That's when we have to tell ourselves that while what they are saying may not be important to us, it may be vitally important to the person speaking.

It does take self - discipline, but we can do it. Common sense to me, is to be courteous to everyone. It is difficult to not interrupt a person, but we can shut our mouths occasionally. Listening is so important in relationships, and in today's society. It does take patience. ( a lot ). I try my best to stay in the conversation.
Sometimes our head thinks faster than usual, and we do interrupt. I always try to keep my mouth shut until they are finished. Of course I do apologize for interrupting, if it happens.