What is reflective listening?

Reflective listening is the practice of repeating or paraphrasing what the patient has said. For example, if you tell me you are upset because your dog died and you have been crying, I might say "You are sad." Reflective listening helps the patient learn to label their own emotions, and helps them to understand that you are hearing what they have said. Reflective listening should not be your whole therapy technique, however, because there is nothing as frustrating as a therapist who just repeats what you just said back to you and never gives you any helpful advice!