What does a clinician employing active listening primarily do?

What does a clinician employing active listening primarily do?

• A. Take extensive notes
• B. Respond to both content and affect of client remarks
• C. Guide the client to specific answers
• D. Conduct a strict clinician-directed interview

Answer: (B)

A clinician employing active listening engages deeply with the client's verbal and non-verbal communication by responding to both the content and the affect of their remarks. This process involves not just the words spoken but also the emotions and feelings underlying those words. By acknowledging and validating the client's feelings, the clinician creates an empathetic environment that fosters trust and encourages openness. This approach enhances the therapeutic relationship, as clients feel heard and understood, which is crucial for effective communication and treatment. In this context, taking extensive notes may detract from the clinician's ability to maintain an engaged presence with the client, whereas guiding the client to specific answers can shift the focus away from understanding the client's perspective. Similarly, a strict clinician-directed interview may limit the opportunity for clients to express their emotions and thoughts fully, which is contrary to the ethos of active listening. Therefore, responding to both the content and the affect is essential in facilitating a meaningful dialogue and supporting the client's therapeutic journey.

A clinician employing active listening engages deeply with the client's verbal and non-verbal communication by responding to both the content and the affect of their remarks. This process involves not just the words spoken but also the emotions and feelings underlying those words. By acknowledging and validating the client's feelings, the clinician creates an empathetic environment that fosters trust and encourages openness. This approach enhances the therapeutic relationship, as clients feel heard and understood, which is crucial for effective communication and treatment.

In this context, taking extensive notes may detract from the clinician's ability to maintain an engaged presence with the client, whereas guiding the client to specific answers can shift the focus away from understanding the client's perspective. Similarly, a strict clinician-directed interview may limit the opportunity for clients to express their emotions and thoughts fully, which is contrary to the ethos of active listening. Therefore, responding to both the content and the affect is essential in facilitating a meaningful dialogue and supporting the client's therapeutic journey.