ABSTRACT

This chapter explores arid enhance, in a matter-of-fact way, the person's understanding of the issue. Listening to the person, observation and reflection skills are essential to help create rapport and start the process of building and increasing the motivation to change. One may jump in and quickly try to fix the problem or one may make assumptions about the person and listen only to things which support these suppositions. Active Listening involves taking an interest in what the person has to say and respecting their self-knowledge and viewpoint. Listening to people and observing them without jumping in and providing solutions is not easy. Neither is checking their understanding and phrasing statements and questions in a way that draws them out and puts them on a path that leads to them being motivated to make change. It is an acquired skill that needs a lot of practice.