Reflective Listening Worksheet
GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC
Worksheet updated on August 18th, 2021
Listening skills are important to have, but not everyone is taught effective methods of listening to others. To listen does not mean to formulate a response, it means to understand the points and perspective of another. We all get eager to respond to things we are listening to at times, but it is often more important to reflect, rather than to respond.
To reflect means to work toward understanding and empathy for what another person is sharing. Being able to reflectively listen is an important part of maintaining a healthy relationship. Reflective listening skills can teach couples and family members how to more effectively communicate.
About This Worksheet
This is the Reflective Listening worksheet. This worksheet provides a summary of what reflective listening is and how it can be used to facilitate productive conversation. On this worksheet, you will find skills and examples of how to reflectively listen, along with reasoning as to why it is important.
This worksheet is intended to be used to improve the quality of relationships. Adult couples can best benefit from the exercise, and the worksheet is best utilized in couples and family counseling.
Instructions
This worksheet provides information about how to use reflective listening in conversation. Use this worksheet to help explain the concept of reflective listening.
Instruct the couple or family members to review the content on the worksheet. Follow up with short communication exercises to practice the skills outlined on the worksheet with the couple and family members. Answer any questions the recipients of this worksheet have and provide them a copy to take with them for reference.
