reachable moment.see below
One way that I propose to create a therapeutic environment when taking the sexual history of a 16-year-old female client is by being extremely empathetic. A large part of this empathy is based on both appearing, and truly being, non-judgmental. The last thing that anybody wants to encounter when delivering their sexual history is someone who is opinionated, or acting as though there is some value associated with whatever the patient is stating. Such a sentiment doubly applies to a 16-year-old, since teenage girls are extremely impressionable, at time easily wounded, and still searching for their own identities.
Thus, it is important to convey the fact that as someone taking her sexual history, I am someone whom she can trust and, if need be, turn to regarding situations in her life. This approach is actually extremely vital to the taking of a sexual history, since honesty is required to transcribe a history that is accurate. Were a nurse practitioner to evince some sort of attitude about the information he or she was hearing -- either through his or her tone of voice or body language -- it is possible the patient might leave something out or not fully explain circumstances as the patient otherwise might not. So it is important to be accepting and willing to listen to a patient, no matter how bizarre or unusual a story that such a girl might tell.
Personally, I have encountered some downright chilling stories of young women that were a part of their sexual histories at the age of 16. I would utilize the same non-judgmental approach now as I did then by listening quietly, being encouraging, helping them over difficult parts and refraining from placing any sort of value judgment on what was said. I always try to effect some sort of friendship based on "common ground" (Beddoe, 1999, p. 248) with me and others, and this trait would help in this situation as well.
References
Beddoe, S.S. (1999). Reachable moment. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 31(3): 248.
