A client in a psychiatric unit reports hearing voices saying bad things about them. Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?

A client in a psychiatric unit reports hearing voices saying bad things about them. Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?

• A. I do not hear the voices.
• B. I understand you are frightened by the voices, and I will stay with you.
• C. Don't listen to what the voices tell you.
• D. Why don't you sit with the other clients and watch TV?

Answer: (B)

When a client on a psychiatric unit reports distress from hearing voices, the best therapeutic move is to validate their feelings and remain with them in a calm, supportive way. Saying, “I understand you are frightened by the voices, and I will stay with you,” communicates empathy and presence. It shows you acknowledge their fear and are choosing to support them through the moment, which helps reduce anxiety, builds trust, and makes the client feel safe enough to share more. Denying the voices or telling the client not to listen to them invalidates their experience and can increase isolation or fear. Encouraging the client to sit with other clients and watch TV shifts focus away from their distress and misses the chance to provide immediate, compassionate support.

When a client on a psychiatric unit reports distress from hearing voices, the best therapeutic move is to validate their feelings and remain with them in a calm, supportive way. Saying, “I understand you are frightened by the voices, and I will stay with you,” communicates empathy and presence. It shows you acknowledge their fear and are choosing to support them through the moment, which helps reduce anxiety, builds trust, and makes the client feel safe enough to share more.

Denying the voices or telling the client not to listen to them invalidates their experience and can increase isolation or fear. Encouraging the client to sit with other clients and watch TV shifts focus away from their distress and misses the chance to provide immediate, compassionate support.