Why Do Therapists Use Listening Skills?

Counselors gain insight about their clients during client interviews. A therapist must understand how to effectively “hold an interview so the client feels safe, understood and willing to continue therapy” (Nugent & jones, pg. 41). A therapist must listen, which is not an easy skill to master. When a therapist “listens the client feel like their words have value” (Nugent & jones, pg. 41). A therapist will have a more in-depth understanding of the client and his problems if the client feels that the therapist is genuinely interested in them” (Nugent & jones, pg. 41).

A therapist employs several different components to effectively communicate with their clients. While therapist use "Listening, attending and influencing skills in conjunction with each other they are each used differently during the interview process" (Nugent & Jones, pg. 41). To gain information, a therapist employs listening skills. Listening skills gives the “therapist a more in-depth look at the client’s problems and how it makes them feel" (Nugent & jones, pg. 41). Therapists use listening skills by asking "open and closed questions" Nugent & jones, pg. 41).

41). What this does is tell the client the therapist heard what they said, that they understand exactly how they feel and they get why they’re upset. An Influencing skill doesn’t take place in the beginning of therapy. Trust between therapist and client must be established first which takes time. The goal of influencing skills is to get the client to identify their problem, figure out what they need to change and take action to make those changes (Nugent & jones, pg.