Communication Matters: Strengthening Relationships Through Effective Communication
Live Event

Communication Matters: Strengthening Relationships Through Effective Communication

Tue, Feb 16th, 2027
12:00pm – 3:15pm US Eastern Time
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About the Event

Effective communication is essential to collaborative care, therapeutic relationships, and productive healthcare teams. Differences in communication styles, expectations, lived experiences, and responses to stress can contribute to misunderstanding and disconnection. Designed for behavioral health professionals, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, physicians, athletic trainers, and dietitians, this interactive training helps participants recognize communication patterns, understand the needs beneath difficult interactions, and practice responses that support connection and repair.

Drawing on relational and trauma-informed principles, participants will explore grounding before responding, listening with curiosity, identifying underlying needs, communicating with compassion, respecting choice, and determining constructive next steps. Themes such as humility, patience, truthfulness, and compassion offer opportunities for reflection while honoring diverse beliefs and experiences.

Through guided reflection, healthcare-based scenarios, and practical exercises, participants will practice clearly communicating needs and expectations, responding to tension, and repairing misunderstandings with patients, families, caregivers, and colleagues. Emphasis is placed on empathy, accountability, professional boundaries, and collaborative problem-solving.

Live Event
This live online event will be held as a Zoom Webinar. Attendees will have the option to interact through features such as the Chat and Q&A, but cameras and microphones will not be enabled.

Live Event Instructor

Shayla Gray

Shayla Gray

Shayla Gray, LMFT, LCMFT, MA, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, EMDR-Certified Therapist, PSI trained, relational educator, and trainer with more than a decade of experience in behavioral health. She specializes in couples and relationship therapy, trauma-informed care, and supporting individuals and couples through major life and family transitions. Grounded in a family-systems perspective, Shayla’s work focuses on helping couples recognize and interrupt recurring relational patterns that contribute to conflict, disconnection, and difficulty functioning as a team. Her clinical interests include communication and conflict, relationship repair, trauma, and the transition to parenthood, including the relational and identity changes that can accompany pregnancy, fertility challenges, and early parenthood. In addition to her clinical work, Shayla develops and facilitates professional and community education on trauma, relationships, communication, and family systems. She has designed and delivered more than 20 workshops and developed Intergenerational Trauma: Breaking Cycles Through Caregiver Partnership, a training examining how intergenerational experiences and recurring relational patterns can affect caregivers, partnerships, and family systems. Shayla is also a doctoral candidate in Marriage and Family Therapy with a concentration in Couples Therapy. Her research focuses on relationships during the transition to parenthood, specifically fathers’ experiences of psychosocial distress during the transition to parenthood and the effects of that distress on their relationships.

Target Audience

This live interactive is intended for Behavioral Health and Physical Health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage & family therapists, art therapists, dietitians, school psychologists, psychoanalysts, music therapists, behavior analysts, dietetic technicians, school counselors, teachers, addiction counselors, occupational therapies, physical therapists, nurses, athletic trainers, and peer support specialists. It is appropriate for beginner levels of knowledge.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Identify at least three communication patterns that contribute to misunderstanding or disconnection in interactions with patients, families, caregivers, or colleagues.
  2. 2 Use reflective listening and clarifying questions to explore emotions and needs beneath difficult interactions without assuming intent.
  3. 3 Demonstrate at least two communication strategies that support clear expression, connection, and repair during a challenging healthcare conversation.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2024). TeamSTEPPS 3.0 curriculum materials. https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/index.html

Brach, C. (Ed.). (2024). AHRQ health literacy universal precautions toolkit (3rd ed.). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/improve/precautions/toolkit.html

Byrne, M., Campos, C., Daly, S., Lok, B., & Miles, A. (2024). The current state of empathy, compassion and person-centred communication training in healthcare: An umbrella review. Patient Education and Counseling, 119, 108063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.108063

Keshtkar, L., Madigan, C. D., Ward, A., Ahmed, S., Tanna, V., Rahman, I., Bostock, J., Nockels, K., Wang, W., Gillies, C. L., & Howick, J. (2024). The effect of practitioner empathy on patient satisfaction: A systematic review of randomized trials. Annals of Internal Medicine, 177(2), 196–209. https://doi.org/10.7326/M23-2168

Rodriguez, A., Patton, C. D., & Stephenson-Hunter, C. (2023). Impact of locus of control on patient-provider communication: A systematic review. Journal of Health Communication, 28(3), 190–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2023.2192014

VitalTalk. (n.d.). Responding to emotion: Respecting. https://vitaltalk.org/responding-to-emotion-respecting/

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Faculty

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Use our CE Approvals tool to look up your state requirements and how can help you meet them, or log in to your member account to show approvals relevant to your licensure.

Joint Accreditation (JA)

Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems, LLC, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
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National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5951. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Learning Systems is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 3 NBCC hour(s) awarded.
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NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
This course has been approved by CE Learning Systems, service provider of Impact CE, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #192243, CE Learning Systems is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
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American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

3 CEU hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course activity approval ID# . This Distance Learning–Interactive activity is offered at 0.3 CEUs, , . The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
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American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
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Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems (BOC AP#: JA4008387) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for a maximum of 3 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
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Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems is an accredited provider by the California Board of Physical Therapy. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
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Florida Certification Board (FCB)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
Impact CE, a service of CE learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) to offer continuing education programs (Provider # 5069A).
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Florida Board of Nursing

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems, LLC has been approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, Provider number: 50-315. Nurses completing course 20- receive 3 credit hours. Certificate must be retained for at least 4 years, do not forward certificate to the Board of Nursing.
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Florida Board of Occupational Therapy (FBOT)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems, LLC is approved by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy to sponsor continuing education for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content. CE Broker Provider Number 50-315
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Michigan Board of Physical Therapy

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy (Provider # 50-315).
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Missouri Credentialing Board (MCB)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
AddictionCounselorCE is an approved provider of the Missouri Substance Abuse Professional Credentialing Board (Provider #101). AddictionCounselorCE maintains responsibility for this course and its contents.
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New York Education Department Board of Social Work

3 contact hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems, LLC, (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. Provider #0060.
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New York Education Department Board of Creative Arts Therapy (NYSEDCAT)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0008
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New York Education Department Board of Mental Health Counseling

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems, LLC (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.
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New York Education Department Board of Psychologists

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems, LLC, (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for psychologists, # PSY-0016.
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New York Education Department Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems, LLC (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0045.
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New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.
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New York State Education Department's State Board for Occupational Therapy (NYSED BOT)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
CE Learning Systems (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Occupational Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants.
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Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
This activity has been approved by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 3 CCUs for PTs and PTAs. APS # 2805075TX. Accreditation Period: 6/1/25-5/31/28
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Virginia Certification Board (VCB)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Feb 16th, 2027
Virginia Certification Board educational provider # 106
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Event Agenda

Agenda times are listed in US Eastern Time. That is 3 hours later than US Pacific Time. The event starts at 9:00am US Pacific Time.

12:00–12:15 PM | Welcome: Why Communication Matters

Introduce objectives and explore the difference between intended messages and perceived impact in patient care and professional relationships.


12:15–12:45 PM | Recognizing Communication Patterns

Examine verbal and nonverbal messages, tone, timing, assumptions, and common responses to disagreement. Identify patterns through brief healthcare scenarios.


12:45–1:15 PM | Listening Beyond the Words

Recognize emotions and needs beneath complaints or frustration. Practice reflective listening, clarifying questions, and checking understanding without assuming intent.


1:15–1:30 PM | Break (15 minutes)


1:30–2:00 PM | Pause, Then Respond

Identify personal reactions during difficult conversations. Practice grounding, intentional pauses, and choosing language that communicates patience, honesty, and respect.


2:00–2:30 PM | Saying What Matters Clearly and Compassionately

Practice expressing concerns, making specific requests, setting boundaries, and inviting collaboration. Incorporate reflection on constructive speech and compassion from Ephesians 4.


2:30–3:00 PM | From Misunderstanding to Repair

Practice acknowledging impact, clarifying intentions, offering meaningful apologies, and agreeing on next steps. Apply skills to patient, caregiver, and colleague interactions.


3:00–3:15 PM | Putting Skills Into Practice

Complete a communication action plan, discuss application across healthcare roles, and conclude with questions and answers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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