Please donate today to help us save, support, and change lives. Aim to explore the person’s feelings rather than asking only for facts. Invite the person to say more, explore their feelings, and build on their ideas. Phrases like, “So, you’re saying…” or “So, you’re feeling…” can be helpful here. A pause can be especially thoughtful if the other person has shared something deeply emotional. A few seconds of silence allows you to respect their needs and decide on a considerate response rather than a knee-jerk reaction.
It feels like talking to a brick wall and it’s something you want to avoid. Your body is communicating constantly, and skilled active listening in therapy includes the deliberate management of nonverbal channels. When a friend or family member is going through something serious — grief, mental health struggles, a crisis — the impulse to say something comforting or helpful is natural. But active listening in these moments means staying in receiving mode longer than feels comfortable. Being with someone in their experience, rather than trying to change it, is often the most powerful thing you can offer. Our mental health resources for families page covers this dynamic in more depth.
Instead, focus on listening and supporting them as they work through their own problem-solving process. An indication of passive listening is the person not being able to fully absorb the content of the message and recall it in the future. A 2025 qualitative interview study asked what attentive listening feels like from the listener’s side.
It’s one of the most powerful communication skills you can develop, both personally and professionally. Like any interpersonal skill, active listening takes time. And it isn’t something you should use 100% of the time—having dialogue is important! But when a coworker is sharing something with you, active listening helps you bring empathy, connection, and understanding to the conversation.
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Non-verbal communication often carries more weight than the words spoken. Expressions on someone’s face, how they use their voice, body language, and even moments of silence can often reveal feelings and thoughts that aren’t explicitly spoken. Attention to these cues is essential for fully understanding the speaker’s message. Become a better listener and communicator, both at work and at home, by practicing your active listening skills. Take our Active Listening Challenge to discover 7 specific active listening techniques to try in your conversations next week.
- There’s more to being a good listener than hearing the words another person says.
- Tone of voice, crossed arms or poor eye contact are often clues to the message someone is communicating.
- Active listening shapes how work moves from one conversation to the next.
Active Listening Techniques For Therapy Sessions
It involves listening for words and phrases manifesting emotional states ranging from fear, lack of self-confidence, and boredom to cheerfulness and excitement. This encourages the speaker to elaborate on their thoughts. Neither meta-analysis measured active listening behaviors directly. He described an attitude that, if genuinely held, shows itself through behaviors such as paraphrasing and quora.com/is-it-easy-to-reach-out-to-someone-first-on-lauradate-or-do-you-have-to-wait-for-them-to-message-you reflecting feeling. Rogers and Farson (1957) then translated that clinical stance into a short pamphlet for supervisors and colleagues in industry. But even the best listener can’t pay 100% attention at all times.
Keep an open mind and show respect for the other person’s point of view even if you disagree with it. Otherwise, employees will be less likely to give you input in the future. While you might not have all the answers during a conversation, reassure the individuals you’ll keep their considerations in mind and are committed to keeping the door open for more dialogue. Rather than transcribing everything, summarize the speaker’s intent.
In team settings, active listening facilitates better idea-sharing and fosters an inclusive environment. When team members feel heard, they’re more likely to contribute and engage fully in discussions. This creates a culture of respect and openness, enhancing overall teamwork. Research highlights that active listening leaders build more cohesive and effective teams, as collaboration thrives on mutual understanding.
Briefly summarize what you’ve understood while practicing active listening, and ask the other person to do the same. As a listener and a leader, be open to new ideas, new perspectives, and new possibilities when practicing active listening. Even when good listeners have strong views, they suspend judgment, hold any criticisms, and avoid interruptions like arguing or selling their point right away. For example, having your arms resting on the side, rather than crossed across the chest, can signal a greater degree of openness.
