A practitioner mentions to her supervisor that she is struggling to connect with an individual.

Building effective relationships requires interpersonal competencies that adapt to an individual’s communication preferences and behaviors. The CPRP Exam Blueprint (Domain I: Interpersonal Competencies) emphasizes using flexible, person-centered strategies to engage individuals in a manner that respects their needs and preferences (Task I.B.3: "Adapt communication strategies to build trust and engagement"). Option B (communicate with the individual via a text message) aligns with this by meeting the individual where he is—using his preferred mode of communication (texting)—to foster connection and build rapport, which can later transition to in-person engagement.

Option A (ask for eye contact) is prescriptive and may alienate the individual, ignoring his comfort with texting. Option C (request no phone) dismisses his communication preference and risks disengagement. Option D (sit quietly) is passive and does not actively address the barrier to connection. The PRA Study Guide emphasizes adapting to individual communication styles as a key engagement strategy, supporting Option B.