title: Metacommunications. A missed opportunity?
abstract: 1. The process of communication is a multilevel phenomenon. Certain levels may be transparent or hidden. 2. Human communication dictates that people not only communicate, but also that they communicate about their communication. In essence, humans metacommunicate. 3. "Meta" instructions provided by the patient are interpreted by the therapist during therapeutic discourse. These interpretations allow the therapist to shape the relationship with the patient. 4. A complementary interactional communication approach allows the patient and therapist to maximize their inequalities to the therapeutic benefit of the patient.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Crowther
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*