[humanser] Concerns about nonverbal communication in counseling?

[Quinto Sanchez]

I've liked what JD has had to say on this topic in the past. However, we are 
able to still pick up most of the non-verbal clues by listening. For example 
we can hear when someone smiles, we can here the tremor and anx in someone's 
voice who is scared or uncomfortable; we can hear the constant shifting or 
fidgeting of an individual; we can hear that when they talk they are not 
looking at us. The sighted individual might miss out on the subtle verbal 
clues that we are more likely to catch such as the slight verbal hesitation 
or subtle sigh the individual demonstrates when you ask particular 
questions.

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From: "JD Townsend via HumanSer" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2017 8:37 PM
To: "Human Services Division Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "JD Townsend" <43210 at bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: [humanser] Concerns about nonverbal communication in 
counseling?

> Just for your information, and, perhaps, to present to your agency;  there
> is little research to support the benefits visual interpretation of body
> language and some evidence that the sighted incorrectly interpret these
> visual clues.  This is difficult for the light dependent to understand.
>
> I have been in the field as a working professional from 1980 and only 
> rarely
> do I feel I have missed such a clue.
>
> One of my patients has worn the same moo-moo for the past year, with no
> underwear and no hygiene during her monthly cycle.  I don’t know this
> because of visual evidence, but from discussion.  I don’t know the skin
> color of my patients, but skin color and racial identification do become a
> part of our dialogue;  interestingly often many evaluators have determined
> this information visually and got it wrong.
>
> If you can’t tell when someone is fidgeting, you are not listening.  Often
> patients believe that I can hear it when they roll their eyes, not due to
> some extrasensory talent, but listening to silence.
>
> This is a perpetual question in interviews, either said or unsaid;  so, it
> pays to have a ready answer.  One way is simply to bring up the subject 
> and
> state that this has not been an issue in other situations and that she 
> will
> be favorably impressed with your assessment talents.  Provide an example 
> if
> you like, such as noting that she is wearing heals or sandals.  I might 
> add
> that on rare occasion you might ask a trusted person in reception about a
> client’s appearance.
>
> Like most things, your confidence is what will get you over this bump.
>
> JD
>
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