Reflection (OARS) Skill Description (Core Competencies: 1.1; 1.4; 2.7; 4.1; 4.4; 4.6; 4.7; 4.8; 4.9)
In this course, skillful listening is referred to as reflective listening or simply reflection. Reflection is the expression of empathy. Empathy is a way of being with people that is nonjudgmental, accepting, and curious about another’s feelings, perspectives, and experiences. Empathy is like putting yourself in another person’s shoes while remaining in your own shoes. Whereas empathy is a way of being with people, reflection is what the listener does. Reflection involves careful listening with genuine interest and curiosity to understand the peer’s perspectives and experiences—then, like a mirror, reflecting the meaning of what the peer shared. Reflective listening is the most important communication skill in
the process of providing peer support. Steps to forming a reflection There are three steps to forming a reflection. 1. Listen carefully and hear what the peer is saying.
2. Make an educated guess about the peer’s underlying meaning.
3. Share your educated guess as a concise listening statement.
FURTHER READING: Miller W.R. (2018). Listening well: The art of empathic understanding . Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.
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