What communication technique should a nurse use to establish trust with a client who has major depressive disorder?

Establishing trust with a client who has major depressive disorder is crucial for effective communication and therapeutic relationships. Offering general leads is a communication technique that encourages clients to express themselves more openly. This approach allows the nurse to create a safe environment where the client feels heard and understood. By using general leads, the nurse invites the client to share their thoughts and feelings, which can help in building rapport and trust.

When working with clients suffering from depression, it is particularly important to avoid techniques that may hinder communication or make the client feel judged or misunderstood. Other methods, such as closed questions, can limit the client's responses and discourage them from sharing more about their feelings and thoughts. Providing reassurance can sometimes come across as dismissive of the client's feelings, and giving advice may lead the client to feel that their own experiences and opinions are undervalued. Therefore, using general leads is the most effective technique in fostering trust and encouraging open communication with a client experiencing major depressive disorder.