Patient Support
Reassuring an Anxious Patient
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🎧 Read/Listen first
As a psychologist, it's important to reassure your patients, especially those who are feeling anxious. When you speak with them over the phone, use a calm and supportive tone. Start by acknowledging their feelings, saying something like, "I understand that you are feeling anxious right now." Then, provide some reassurance by reminding them of the progress they have made in therapy. You can say, "Remember, you have been working hard on these issues, and it's okay to feel this way sometimes." Encourage them to express their feelings and listen actively. Offer simple strategies they can use until the next session, such as deep breathing exercises. Finally, remind them that you are there to support them and that they can reach out anytime they need to talk.
⚡ Learning goals
- Learn how to reassure patients
- Practice supportive language
- Understand effective communication techniques
🔑 Key language
- I understand that you are feeling anxious. This shows empathy.
- You have been making progress in therapy. This reinforces their efforts.
- It's okay to feel this way sometimes. This normalizes their feelings.
🌍 Global comprehension
AI writing analysis
Task: Write a short response explaining how you would reassure an anxious patient over the phone.
Use the key phrases from the lesson.
Success criteria: Clear use of supportive language and empathy.
- anxious
- reassure
- progress
- supportive
- feelings
- present simple
- modal verbs
- expressing empathy
✍️ Vocabulary
🧠 Flashcards interactives
Choisissez la bonne réponse, écoutez le modèle, puis répétez à voix haute.
⚙️ Rules & Grammar
🟣 Using Empathy in Communication
Rule:
Empathy is crucial when reassuring someone. Use phrases that acknowledge their feelings. For example, saying 'I understand' helps the patient feel heard.
- I understand that you are feeling anxious.
- It's normal to feel this way sometimes.
- Using dismissive language. → Avoid phrases like 'Don't worry'.
- Not acknowledging their feelings. → Always recognize their emotions.
🟣 Reinforcing Progress
Rule:
Remind patients of their progress in therapy. This helps build their confidence and encourages them to continue working on their issues.
- You have made great progress this month.
- Remember the strategies we discussed last time.
- Focusing only on the negatives. → Highlight positive changes.
- Being vague about their progress. → Be specific about improvements.
🟣 Normalizing Feelings
Rule:
It's important to normalize feelings of anxiety. Let patients know that it's okay to feel anxious and that they are not alone in their experiences.
- It's okay to feel this way sometimes.
- Many people experience anxiety.
- Making them feel isolated. → Use inclusive language.
- Dismissing their feelings. → Always validate their emotions.
🟣 Offering Supportive Strategies
Rule:
Provide simple strategies for managing anxiety. This can empower patients and give them tools to cope until their next session.
- Try deep breathing exercises when you feel anxious.
- You can write down your feelings to understand them better.
- Overloading them with information. → Keep suggestions simple and clear.
- Not following up on their needs. → Ask if they find the strategies helpful.
🧩 Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
Psychologist: I understand that you are feeling anxious. Remember, it's okay to feel this way sometimes. Patient: Thank you, that helps a lot!
Why this matters:
This language helps create a supportive environment for patients, making them feel understood and valued.
Verb & Adjective Pack:
Use these phrases to reassure your patients effectively.
AI oral analysis
Oral task: Write a short response on how you would reassure an anxious patient over the phone.
Use the key phrases from the lesson.
Success criteria: Use supportive language and empathy clearly.
- anxious
- reassure
- progress
- supportive
- feelings
- present simple
- modal verbs
- expressing empathy
🚀 Quick challenge
Listen to the model, repeat aloud, then retry to improve your score.
AI Conversation Mission
You are a psychologist reassuring a patient over the phone.
- Acknowledge their feelings
- Remind them of their progress
- Suggest a coping strategy
Use a calm and reassuring tone.