Gestures

Whether you’re supporting a client in a clinical setting or working with a young person in education, not everyone is able or willing to say exactly how they feel.

Often, emotional states like anxiety, confusion, discomfort, or distress show up first in subtle body language.

These gestures may be small, but they offer crucial insight into how a person is experiencing the environment, your approach, or the topic at hand.

By learning to recognise and interpret these cues, you can:

• Build trust and emotional safety.

• Adjust your tone, pacing, or physical approach.

• Prevent misunderstandings or emotional shutdown.

• Support a person-centered, responsive interaction style.