Types of communication and why it is important to understand your communication style?

Chelsea Conner • April 6, 2024

Why is it important to understand your communication style?

Understanding your communication style can be beneficial to your overall health, as well for the relationships around you. Your communication style impacts your self esteem and self confidence, as well benefits resolving conflict when it arises.There are four types of communication styles - passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive.

Passive Communication - the individual is not expressing their needs, thoughts, or feelings, as well allowing others to dominate conversation and putting their needs on the back burner to avoid conflict. Other traits are having poor eye contact and/or low tone of voice. Example of passive communication: “only if you don’t mind” - “It really does not matter to me.” Passive communication can lead to resentment, anger, and invalidation.

Aggressive Communication - the individual utilizes criticism, harsh tone, and domination in their language. There are frequent disruptions, shown inability to listen to others, as well no consideration to others rights. Example of aggressive communication: “If you don’t like how I am doing it then deal with it or go somewhere else.” Aggressive communication can lead to further conflict and escalation, as well as other consequences, such as loss of relationships.

Passive-Aggressive Communication - an individual shows passive traits but is acting intently from aggression. The individual receives control by manipulation and utilizing non direct communication. Example of passive aggressive communication: the silent treatment.

Assertive Communication - the healthiest form of communication is assertiveness, which is when an individual engages in direct, honest communication that respects themselves and others around them. Other traits shown are the ability to listen to others without disruption and make good eye contact. Example of assertive communication: “When you leave the dishes on the table, I feel frustrated because I don’t like to have a mess to clean up after a long work day.”

Do you feel like your communication is impacting your health, ability to handle conflict when it arises, and/or the relationships around you? Call us at 859.338.0466 to schedule an appointment with one of our providers. Our current offices are located in Lexington, Frankfort, and Richmond, KY. Here, at the Offices of Paul Dalton - Lexington Counseling and Psychiatry, we have been trusted mental health professionals in Central Kentucky for over 22 years!

Supporting Articles:

https://umatter.princeton.edu/respect/tools/communication-styles

https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/8-ways-you-can-improve-your-communication-skills/

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/communication-styles/

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By Chelsea Conner • August 14, 2025

Substance use is a growing health concern. 47.7 million Americans reported the use of illegal substances according to a study conducted in 2023 by The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. A Substance Use Disorder (SUD), defined by The American Psychiatric Association, is ‘a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences.’ The American Psychiatric Association recognizes that someone who has a SUD has an intense urge to engage in any of the listed substances - alcohol, tobacco, or psychoactive substances that impact daily functioning, interpersonal relationships, and overall health. Another term well known for SUD is addiction. There is no single cause for a SUD but rather, a combination of factors can contribute to its development. Self-medication, genetics, peer pressure, curiosity, performance enhancement, and medical use turned misuse can all lead to someone engaging in problem use with substances and even addiction. Another study conducted in 2023 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, showed that 70% of people who sought out treatment for substance abuse/misuse reported improvements to their overall health and functioning within the first year of treatment. There are several available options for treatment, including outpatient care, intensive outpatient care, and in-patient care treatment. It is also important to have a collaborative approach when it comes to treatment for a SUD to have the best outcome, which can include medication management, individual therapy, group therapy, peer support, AA/NA meetings, sponsor, and a healthy support system within interpersonal relationships. It's important to remember that addiction is not a moral failing, it's a complex medical condition that can affect anyone. Compassion, understanding, and proper treatment are essential to recovery and can lead to successful outcomes. Some treatment modalities that have shown success in therapy when treating SUD include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Contingency Management (CM), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), as well as a facilitated 12 step program and a trauma focused lens. Whether you're concerned about your own substance use or worried about a loved one, help is available and healing is possible! Call our office at 859.338.0466 to schedule an appointment to work with one of our providers to start your healing journey to recovery. Our current offices are located in Lexington, Frankfort, and Richmond, KY. We have been trusted mental health professionals in Central Kentucky for over 22 years! Articles and Resources: https://drugabusestatistics.org/ https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction-substance-use-disorders/what-is-a-substance-use-disorder https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6175215/ https://www.pyramid-healthcare.com/blog/2019/02/12/self-medication-and-addiction/ https://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment