Listening Response

4 Listening Responses Reflection of Feeling Paraphrasing Content Clarifying Questions Summarization

Reflection Definition: a rephrasing of the affective part of the client’s message Intended Purpose: –To encourage more expression of feelings –To experience feelings more intensely –To help increase awareness of dominant feelings –To help acknowledge and manage feelings –To discriminate among feelings

Paraphrase Definition: a rephrasing of the content of the client’s message Intended purpose: –To help focus on content –To highlight content when feelings are premature or self-defeating

Clarifying Question Definition: A question beginning with, for example, “Do you mean that” or “Are you saying that” plus a rephrasing of the client’s message. Intended purpose: –To encourage more elaboration –To check out accuracy of what you have heard –To clear up vague and confusing messages

Summarization Definition: Two or more paraphrases or reflections that condense the clients’ messages or the session Intended purposes: –To tie together multiple elements –To identify a common theme or pattern –To interrupt excessive rambling –To review progress

Listening Modalities and Responses

Sensory Modalities Visual Auditory Kinesthetic Mix

Listening Responses Clarification Questions Paraphrasing Content Reflecting Feelings Summarization