Foundations of Body Language & Communication

As professionals, effective communication is essential—not just in what we say, but in how we say it and what we show.

According to psychologist Albert Mehrabian, only 7% of our communication is verbal—the actual words we use. The remaining 93% is made up of para-verbal cues (tone, pitch, and pace) and non-verbal signals (facial expressions, gestures, posture). (Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent Messages, Wadsworth Publishing.

Understanding this breakdown is vital when interpreting emotions, building trust, and de-escalating tense or emotionally charged situations. Whether you’re in a classroom or a clinical setting, your facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language can have a significant impact— sometimes even more than your words.

Being aware of these non-verbal cues helps foster empathy, reduce misunderstandings, and support more meaningful, compassionate interactions.