To practice reflective listening, you should _______.

• A. Listen to the client and then repeat, in your own words, what you think the client told you
• B. Provide a quick solution
• C. Interrupt to clarify
• D. Agree with every statement

Answer: (A)

Reflective listening centers on truly understanding what the client is saying by actively listening and then restating it in your own words. This paraphrasing confirms accuracy and shows the client you heard both the content and the feelings behind it. By repeating back in your own words, you invite the client to confirm or correct your understanding, which strengthens communication and trust.

Providing a quick solution skips the listening and shifts focus to fixing the problem rather than understanding the client’s perspective. Interrupting to clarify breaks the flow and can signal you’re not fully listening, which distorts understanding. Agreeing with every statement can feel validating, but it may mask the client’s real concerns and prevents you from accurately grasping their meaning.