Journal Review

Journal Article Review: Evidence of Listening, Micro skills, and Empathy

Brooke Weber

Missouri Baptist University

Introduction

The purpose of the journal article is to discuss the neuroscience behind micro skills within the counseling profession. The micro skills discussed include empathy, metalizing, paraphrasing, encouraging, summarization, reflecting feelings, use of verbal and nonverbal techniques, confrontation, and reframing. Additionally, the effects of each micro skill upon the client counselor relationship and interpretations of effects on the brain were discussed.

Summary

According to Ivey, Ivey, and Zalaquett (2016), multiple skills are essential to the building and bettering the client-counselor relationship, as well as the outcomes of the client. The first skill discussed is empathy, and assists in building a strong relationship, lights up the brain, and assists in enabling change in others (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). There are a couple types of empathy and are emotional or cognitive, and each are beneficial to the relationship and to the client’s progress (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016).

The second set of micro skills discussed include verbal and nonverbal techniques, and provide a sense of safety, building of a stronger relationship, and encourages the client to become more comfortable (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). The authors also discussed the differing types of micro skills (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). Some micro skills assist in providing a safe, calming environment, whereas others challenge the client to become more aware, better able to overcome the issues at hand, and to become self-sufficient (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016).

Lastly, metalizing was discussed (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). Metalizing is the process utilized to understand the social world and the place in that world in which individuals’ find as a fit (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). Mentalizing can also be used by the client to promote recovery and self-control (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). The micro skills discussed are essential to the therapeutic relationship as well as the client’s outcomes of the therapeutic process (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016).

Personal Reactions

The article by Ivey, Ivey, and Zalaquett (2016), discussed various essentials needed of the counselor and the therapeutic relationship. Additionally, the authors utilized research and neuroscience to provide evidence that the skills discussed are essential in providing a safe environment for the client to disclose information, as well as sternness to challenge the client and allow the client to become self- sufficient (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). By providing scientific evidence and interpreting the information into more simplified language, counselors in training are provided a solid basis of information for future practices (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016).

Additionally, each micro skill that was discussed, was explained thoroughly, but simply, for counselors in training to understand (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). The information provided is necessary and a strong basis for which counselors should practice from (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). By combining research and simplified language, counselors in training can implement such techniques and understand the implications of such research (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016).

Implications

The implications to the profession as a counselor in training include future licensed professional counselors’ utilization of the information provided and the importance of finding evidence-based interventions (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). The information provided by Ivey, Ivey, and Zalaquett (2016), is researched-based and should be used throughout a client-counselor relationship to enhance the client’s outcomes and become self-sufficient. The research provided encourages counselors in training to practice and enhance certain micro skills to benefit the client in future practice.

By utilizing evidence-based research and practices, better outcomes occur, a stronger counseling practice is built, and client-counselor relationships are enhanced (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). The focus of evidence-based practices is to better the client, the reason the counselor is there, and therefore, is the main drive of utilizing evidence-based practices (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). Lastly, a strong foundation of counseling practices, interventions, skills, and techniques is necessary for both the counselor and the client (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016)

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several micro skills that are beneficial to the client and should be taught and utilized by counselors in training and licensed professional counselors, as well. Therefore, understanding micro skills, the evidence behind each, and implications for each ensures a better counselor and therefore better relationships with clients and better outcomes for the client (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016). The practices should be current and researched to provide the client with the best interventions, treatment, and outcomes (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2016).

References

Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., Zalaquett, C. (August 2016). The neuroscience of listening, microskills, and empathy. Neurocounseling: Bridging Brain and Behavior, 18-21. Retrieved from https://mobap.instructure.com/courses/14882/assignments/190795