A psychoeducational handout outlining the role of body language in assertive communication.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Communication difficulties have been associated with various mental health issues, as well as challenges in relationships and the workplace. Over the last several decades, many assertiveness training programs have been developed to improve communication and increase self-confidence. A key aspect of assertive communication is body language, also known as non-verbal behaviour. The Assertive Body Language information handout outlines the essential components of assertive non-verbal behavior (such as assertive eye contact, voice tone, facial expressions, and posture) and contrasts them with passive and aggressive behaviours.
Non-verbal behavior supports assertive communication. This resource helps clients:
For anxious clients who struggle to express themselves.
To encourage confident, respectful social interactions.
Supports clients whose communication is hindered by guilt, hopelessness, or low self-worth.
For clients experiencing interpersonal difficulties that are impacted by communication problems.
Encourages development of self-respect and clear expression of needs.
Supports effective communication with colleagues.
Review the six domains of body language.
Contrast passive, assertive, and aggressive forms of each element.
Help the client reflect on the body language they tend to use.
Use role-play and behavioral rehearsal to practice assertive body language.
Encourage clients to experiment with assertive body language between sessions.
Effective communication is essential for sharing information, coordinating actions, and achieving personal and professional goals (Rohner & Schutz, 2024). It plays a key role in building healthy relationships, allowing individuals to express needs, build trust, and resolve conflicts (McKay et al., 2018).
Communication styles, particularly in assertiveness literature, are typically categorized as assertive or non-assertive (Bonham-Carter, 2012; Speed et al., 2018). Assertive communication is recognized as effective in many situations and is characterized by clear and honest expression; respect for oneself and others; and taking responsibility for communication outcomes.
Research indicates that various dimensions of non-verbal behavior impact assertive communication, including voice intonation and volume (Rose & Tryon, 1979), eye contact (Kolotkin et al., 1984), facial expressions (Romano & Bellack, 1980), gestures, and body posture (McFall et al., 1982). Generally speaking, moderate levels of non-verbal behaviors are optimal in assertiveness training, which includes an intermediate voice volume and tone, steady eye contact, calm facial expressions, flexible gestures, and an upright yet relaxed posture (Rakos, 1991). Proxemics, or personal space, also plays a role in assertive communication, though it has been less studied (Alberti & Emmons, 2017; Hall, 1966; McKay et al., 2018; Paterson, 2022) - what constitutes an appropriate physical distance tends to vary based on individual characteristics and cultural norms (Sorokowska et al., 2017).
