Communication Styles

A practical handout that introduces four key communication styles (assertive, passive, aggressive, and passive-aggressive), supporting psychoeduction and communication skills development.

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Professional version

Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Overview

Communication difficulties have been associated with various mental health issues, as well as problems in relationships and at work. The Communication Styles information handout is designed to introduce clients to assertive and non-assertive (i.e., passive, aggressive, and passive-aggressive) styles of communication. This is especially helpful for clients who want to enhance their communication skills, improve their relationships, or develop new skills, such as being more assertive or setting boundaries with others.

Why Use This Resource?

Communication styles influence how individuals interact, express their needs, and manage conflict. Understanding and developing effective communication skills is essential for mental health and healthy relationships.

  • Builds awareness of communication patterns.
  • Distinguishes between assertive and non-assertive behaviour.
  • Highlights the benefits of assertive communication.
  • Supports interpersonal effectiveness.

Key Benefits

Clear

Differentiates between communication styles using easy-to-understand descriptions.

Educational

Helps clients understand the emotional and relational consequences of different styles.

Versatile

Suitable for psychoeducation, assertiveness training, and CBT-related interventions.

Engaging

Accessible and relatable.

Who is this for?

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

For clients who fear judgment and avoid speaking up.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

For individuals who struggle with expressing concerns or saying no.

Depression

For clients who find it difficult to advocate for themselves.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

As part of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills training for interpersonal effectiveness.

Low Self-Esteem

Helps clients confidently express their thoughts, feelings, and needs.

Relationship Problems

For clients struggling with patterns of avoidance, conflict, or submission.

Workplace Stress

For difficulties with boundaries, conflict, or assertiveness at work.

Integrating it into your practice

01

Introduce

Use the handout to introduce the concept of communication styles.

02

Review

Discuss examples of each style and identify which are most familiar to the client.

03

Reflect

Encourage clients to reflect on the outcomes of different communication patterns in their own life.

04

Explore

Discuss more effective ways of communicating (e.g., assertiveness).

05

Train

Model, practice, and fine-tune assertive communication.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

This resource draws on research exploring interpersonal behavior and assertiveness training. Assertive communication is considered an adaptive form of self-expression that emphasizes clarity, respect, and responsibility.

Assertiveness deficits have been conceptualized through various lenses, including skills deficits, response inhibition, and difficulties knowing when to communicate in this way (Linehan, 1979). Conversely, assertive communication is associated with positive psychological and social outcomes, such as improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety, and enhanced relational functioning.

Assertiveness training typically involves self-monitoring, cognitive restructuring, behavioral skills training, and real-world practice. This handout supports these therapeutic components by providing key psychoeducation regarding different communication styles.

What's inside

  • Concise descriptions of four communication styles.
  • A summary table comparing style characteristics and consequences.
  • Therapist guidance for introducing the material in-session.
  • Illustrative examples to support client understanding.
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FAQs

Communication styles are groups of conversational behaviors that form recognizable patterns.
Assertive communication is a clear, honest, and respectful way of communicating that is effective in many situations.
Introduce it as a psychoeducational tool to help clients identify and evaluate their communication patterns. Normalize all styles while encouraging reflection on their impact.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

  • Increases client self-awareness and insight into interpersonal behavior.
  • Supports therapeutic work on assertive communication.
  • Offers a shared vocabulary for discussing communication difficulties.
  • Reinforces skills development through psychoeducation.

References And Further Reading

  • Alberti, R. E., & Emmons, M. L. (2017). Your perfect right: Assertiveness and equality in your life and relationships (10th ed.). Impact Publishers.
  • Alden, L., & Cappe, R. (1981). Nonassertiveness: Skill deficit or selective self-evaluation? Behavior Therapy, 12, 107–114. DOI: 10.1016/S0005-7894(81)80111-6.
  • Ames, D. R., & Flynn, F. J. (2007). What breaks a leader: The curvilinear relation between assertiveness and leadership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 307–324.
  • Bonham-Carter, D. (2012). Assertiveness: A practical guide. Icon Books.
  • Chłopicki, W. (2017). Communication styles: an overview. Styles of Communication, 9(2).
  • Duckworth, M. P. (2009). Assertiveness skills and the management of related factors. In W. T. O’Donohue & J. E. Fisher (Eds.), General principles and empirically supported techniques of cognitive behavior therapy (pp. 124–132). John Wiley and Sons.
  • Epstein, N., Degiovanni, I. S., & Jayne-Lazarus, C. (1978). Assertion training for couples. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 9, 149–155. DOI: 10.1016/0005-7916(78)90062-9.
  • Gilbert, P., & Allan, S. (1994). Assertiveness, submissive behaviour and social comparison. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 33, 295–306. DOI: 10.1111/j.2044-8260.1994.tb01125.x.
  • Hagberg, T., et al. (2023). Efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy for assertiveness: A randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 32, 100629.
  • Linehan, M. M. (1979). Structured cognitive-behavioral treatment of assertion problems. In P. C. Kendall & S. V. Hollon (Eds.), Cognitive-behavioral interventions: Theory, research, and procedures (pp.205-240). Academic Press.
  • McKay, M., Davis, M., & Fanning, P. (2018). Messages: The communication skills workbook (4th ed.). New Harbinger Publications.
  • Norton, R. W. (1978). Foundation of a communicator style construct. Human Communication Research, 4, 99–112. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2958.1978.tb00600.x.
  • Paterson, R. J. (2022). The assertiveness workbook: How to express your ideas and stand up for yourself at work and in relationships (2nd ed.). New Harbinger Publications.
  • Pfafman, T. M., & McEwan, B. (2014). Polite women at work: Negotiating professional identity through strategic assertiveness. Women’s Studies in Communication, 37, 202–219.
  • Rakos, R. F. (1991). Assertive behavior: Theory, research, and training. Routledge.
  • Speed, B. C., Goldstein, B. L., & Goldfried, M. R. (2018). Assertiveness training: A forgotten evidence-based treatment. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 25, e12216.