What is meant by “reflective listening” in Person-Centered Therapy?

Reflective listening in Person-Centered Therapy is a vital technique where therapists restate or paraphrase what clients express. This approach is designed to ensure that the therapist accurately understands and conveys the client's thoughts and feelings back to them. By reflecting the client's words, therapists validate their experiences and demonstrate empathy, fostering a deeper therapeutic relationship.

This technique encourages clients to explore their feelings more profoundly, as they hear their thoughts reflected back in a way that can encourage further dialogue. It facilitates clarity and understanding in the therapeutic setting, allowing clients to feel heard and supported. This reflects the core principles of Person-Centered Therapy, which prioritize the client's perspective and emotional experience.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of reflective listening; instead, they misrepresent the function and intention behind this vital technique. For instance, offering opinions would shift the focus away from the client's experience, listening to other clients misses the personalized aspect of individual therapy, and avoiding feelings contradicts the whole premise of exploring emotions which is central to the therapeutic process.