DIS REPLYS

Lachelle Lewis-McDuffie 

Listening Skills

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In counseling, the client-worker relationship is important; it determines the failure or success of the sessions. The better the quality of the relationship the more likely the client will succeed in their goals (France & Weilek, 2014). The quality of the relationship is important because it helps to gain the cooperation of the client (Frances & Weikel, 2014). Human service workers show respect, honesty and caring to the client when they demonstrate empathy, warmth and genuineness (France & Weikel, 2014). Empathy is when one understands wha ta person is saying and communicates that understanding to the person (Frances & Weikel, 2014). In order to do this, according to Stewart, it requires the skills of focusing, encouraging and reflecting (2012). In focusing, you give your undivided attention to the client; letting them know they are important (Stewart, 2012). This is done by facing the client or aiming your posture towards them, making appropriate eye contact, engaging your body into the conversation (smiling, shaking your head, etc.) and being responsive verbally ("Sure!", "Awww" etc.) (Stewart, 2012). The second skill encouraging, is used to "pull" more out from the client (Stewart, 2012). When you need more information from the client, you may have to ask the client to elaborate. Also in empathy you may have to reflect. In reflecting, fresh words are used to summarize important thoughts and feelings expressed by the client/other person (France & Weikel, 2014). Along with being empathic, warmth and genuineness should be displayed. Warmth is a part of having reflecting skills. Warmth communicates caring and caring is the goal of empathic listening (Stewart, 2012). Warmth is show through your demeanor, it involves being able to gently move the client/person beyond surface-level meanings (Stewart, 2012). The final concept genuineness, which means being yourself is vital to the conversation. However, genuineness also requires that you not say everything you are thinking (France & Weikel, 2014). It is not about being right, it is about being committed and understanding the other persons point of view (Stewart, 2012). Building-meaning- through the relationship, listening dialogically involves being genuine, warm and empathic (Stewart, 2012).

Reference

France, K., Weikel, K. (2014). Helping skills: For human service workers. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.

Stewart, J. (2012). Bridges not walls: A book about interpersonal communication. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. 

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