"Nonverbal cues" are actions, gestures, facial expressions, or body language that we use to communicate without speaking. These cues help us understand what someone is thinking or feeling, even when they don't say it out loud.
Research shows that if you are a female in a heterosexual partnership, you are far more likely to initiate discussion around conflict and pick up on nonverbal cues of distress than your male counterpart. (northamptoncouplestherapy.com)
The therapist reads nonverbal cues in order to assess the individual's reaction. (goodtherapy.org)