reflective listening
Echoing back understanding
Reflective listening is a communication technique where the listener paraphrases or mirrors back what a speaker has said, confirming understanding and showing engagement: So what I'm hearing is that you felt dismissed.
The method, central to counseling and conflict resolution, encourages speakers to elaborate and feel heard rather than simply waiting for advice or judgment.
- nodBrief head tilt
- active listeningFocused, responsive attention to speech
- paraphrasingRestating in new words
- summarizingCondensing to main points
- I hear youAcknowledgment of understanding
empathy · clarifying · silence · mirroring · pause · nonverbal cues · attending · emotional regulation · validating · safe space · self-awareness · talk therapy · warmth · conflict resolution · feelings · compassion · trust-building · questioning
reflective listeningtuning out
Deliberately not hearing
ignoring · zoning out · half-listening · selective hearing · going through the motions
reflective listeningmonologuing
Extended solo speaking
talking over · lecturing · interrupting · steamrolling · preaching
reflective listeningcritical listening
Careful sound evaluation
invalidating · minimizing · stonewalling · emotional detachment