Conversational Coaching

What is conversational coaching? 

Conversational coaching is a multimodal treatment approach in which the clinician works with the client with aphasia as well as their communication partner to increase communicative effectiveness (Hopper et al., 2002). The goal is to identify and implement a variety of communication strategies, both verbal and nonverbal, that can facilitate the effective exchange of information (Hopper et al., 2002). Analyzing these interactions between a client with aphasia and their communication partner can help both individuals gain awareness of the communication strategies that are most effective for them (Hopper at al., 2002).  

Who should I use conversational coaching with?

Conversational coaching is an adaptable strategy that can be used with patients with many different types and severity levels of aphasia (Lingraphica). This approach involves teaching both the client with aphasia, as well as their communication partner, various strategies to increase overall communicative effectiveness and improve everyday interactions. 

What goals does conversational coaching address?

• Increase communicative effectiveness

• Increase the use of compensatory strategies during conversation

• Increase repair strategies 

• Communication partner training 

Session Outline: 

1. The client with aphasia is shown a short video (the communication partner is not present at this time)

2. When the communication partner returns, the client will attempt to communicate the content of the video 

   • Both partners will be reminded to use their preferred communication strategies during this task

3. If there is a breakdown in communication, the clinician will step in to offer support after two unsuccessful attempts to independently repair the interaction. The clinician might:

   • prompt the communication partner to ask the client with aphasia to try a different strategy 

   • suggest new strategies for the client to try 

4. The clinician, client, and communication partner will reflect on the interaction, discussing which communication strategies were the most effective and making any necessary changes to their preferred list of strategies

5. The task is repeated with the client and their communication partner switching roles 

From: (Hopper et al., 2002).

Examples of Communication Strategies: 

• Gesturing

• Drawing 

• Writing

• Circumlocution 

• Prompting person with aphasia to focus on the key concept 

• Checking for understanding by drawing/writing key points 

Evidence-Based Practice 

• Hopper et al. (2002) evaluated the effects of Conversational Coaching in two patients with Broca's aphasia and their communication partners. Following 10 sessions, both patients with aphasia demonstrated a significant increase in the number of concepts they were able to communicate to their partners (Hopper et al., 2002). In addition, one patient showed significant improvement on the Communication Activities of Daily Living (Hopper et al., 2002). 

References

Conversational coaching for aphasia. Lingraphica. (2020, July 31). Retrieved December 17, 2022, from https://www.aphasia.com/aphasia-resource-library/aphasia-treatments/conversational/

Hopper, Tammy & Holland, Audrey & Rewega, Molly. (2002). Conversational coaching: Treatment outcomes and future directions. Aphasiology. 16. 745-761. 10.