Verbal and Nonverbal Behavior

According to Cormier & Cormier 1998, verbal behaviors include communications that show a desire to comprehend or discuss what is important to the client. The behavior indicate that the counselor is focusing on the person of the client. Equally important are the counselor’s nonverbal behavior.
According to Mehrabian 1970, physically attending behaviors such as smiling, leaning forward, making eye contact, gesturing and nodding one’s head are effective nonverbal ways of conveying to clients that the counselor is interested in and open them.
Egan 2007 summarizes five nonverbal skills involved in initial attending. They are best remembered in the acronym SOLER. The S is a reminder to face client squarely. The O is a reminder to adopt an open posture. The L reminds the counselor to lean toward the client. The E represents eye contact and the R is a reminder to the counselor to relax. A counselor need to comfortable.
Okun and Kantrowitz 2008, list supportive verbal and supportive verbal and nonverbal behavior aids that counselors often display throughout counseling.

Helpful behavior

Verbal
Uses understandable words
Reflects back and clarifies helpee’s statements
Appropriately interprets
Summarizes for helpee
Responds to primary message
Use verbal reinforcers
Calls helpee by first name or you
Appropriately gives information
Answers questions about self
Uses humor occasionally to reduce tension
Is nonjudgmental and respectful
Adds greater understanding to helpee’s statement
Phrases interpretations tentatively so as to elicit genuine feedback from helpee



Nonverbal

Tone of voice similar to helpee’s
Maintains good eye contact
Occasional head nodding
Facial animation
Occasional smiling
Occasional hand gesturing
Close physical proximity to helpee
Moderate rate of speech
Body leans toward helpee
Relaxed, open posture
Confident vocal tone
Occasional touching

Nonhelpful interview behavior

Welfel and patterson 2005 list four major actions that usually block counselor-client communication and should be generally avoided; advice giving, lecturing, excessive questioning and storytelling by the counselor

Okun and Kantrowitz 2008, list other nonhelpful verbal and nonverbal behaviors.

Nonhelpful behavior

Verbal

Interrupting
Advice giving
Preaching
Placating
Blaming
Cajoling
Exhorting
Extensive probing and questioning, especially “Why” questions
Directing, demanding
Patronizing attitude
Over interpretation
Using words or jargon helpee doesn’t understand
Straying from topic
Intellectualizing
Overanalysing
Talking about self too much
Minimizing or disbelieving

Nonverbal

Loking away from helpee
Sitting for away or turned away form helpee
Sneering
Frowning
Scowling
Tight mouth
Shaking pointed finger
Distracting gestures
Yawning
Closing eyes
Unpleasant tone of voice
Rate of speech to slow or too fast
Acting rushed