Effective Listening Strategies Paper
Shaun Weems
February 28, 2016
BSHS385
Andrea Winston
Active listening skills are skills or techniques that can be developed with practice. Being able to adopt or acquire this skill gives individual a better understanding of the client or clients he or she will be working with. It’s easy to hear what someone is saying but to know that you are actual listening and can understand their issues make that person feel comfortable about knowing that you truly are listening to them.
“Teaching Active Listening Skills” was the first article I found interesting. It provided a lot of very interesting information that can help with potential clients while developing strong relationships. It is important that the client knows the individual listening is paying attention and care what they are saying. The article shows why listening is important and how to keep the client involved freely and what helps he or she to open up when addressing personal topics. Professionals need to contribute to the conversation by facing the client, giving proper eye contact, listening actively, and responding actively. This article also talked about how using reflective listen can help get the client open up more in depth.
Repeating what the client has said, will indicate the person interviewing him or her is listening. This make the client feel secure in knowing the professional heard what he or she has to say. Whenever, speaking with a client all distractions must be avoided. Typically a calm but quiet place is better when trying to counsel the individual. Leaning towards the client, shows attentiveness. Eye contact shows interest in what is being talked about as well as acknowledgement of the conversation. Outside distractions should be avoided at all cost; this lets the client know the professional is truly focused on them. In the human service field all these strategies will be used to better serve the...