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Listening is more than just hearing words. It's about understanding their meaning, both verbal and nonverbal. It involves being aware of tone, body language, and context.
While both active and empathetic listening involve giving our full attention, the latter places particular attention on understanding the other person’s emotional experience.
Good listening builds trust and motivates individuals to explore their experiences. It encourages conversations and tackling difficult topics.
Good listening is often overlooked, yet it plays a vital role in communication and relationships. Let's learn how to listen effectively and strengthen emotional connections.
Active listening, a powerful psychotherapeutic technique, involves close attention, probing questions, and deep understanding of both the message and the client's emotions (APA).
Acceptance in counseling means acknowledging clients' autonomy, rights, and emotions without judgment. It involves recognizing their strengths and areas for growth
Active listening involves adopting the client's perspective and understanding their unique frame of reference.
Reflecting feelings demonstrates our attunement to the other person, going beyond paraphrasing. It involves responding to their emotions, not just their words.
Active listening skills can help with all forms of resistance. For example, a counselor encountering aggression, rather than challenging it or becoming sucked in, can reflect it back, showing, loud and clear,
Being present with someone in moments of emotional distress can be powerful. Offering compassion and dedicating our time can provide significant support, especially when we're unsure of what to say.