Connecting Through Dialogic Listening and Empathy
Stewart says, “When you are listening dialogically, you join with the other person in the process of co-creating meaning between you” (Stewart, 2012). With this, I learnt that parties in a conversation need to focus on what is happening between them instead of each side attempting to focus on what is going on within the mind of the other party. As a result, I realized that I tended thinking what others had to say and interrupting others to ask irrelevant questions during conversations. I was despondent to discover that most of the times, I would get distracted and would not listen to what others had to say as they spoke. Therefore, coming across Stewart’s argument made me came to terms with my flaws.
The most compelling thing about the readings was getting versed with the fact that empathetic listening is the primary communication competency in achieving relationships with the clients. According to Frances and Weikel, empathetic listening involves acknowledging the other, paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal communication, and being present in the moment (Frances & Weikel, 2014). I was intrigued to find that without such skills, the therapists cannot understand the clients’ point of view and the effective listener speaker relationships cannot be realized. Moving forward, I plan to, assess the context of the claims of other people by exploring the desires and circumstances surrounding their feelings, ideas, and opinions to facilitate a shared understanding.
With the insights gained from the readings, I found out that conversation is a shared activity. Dialogic Listening involves the listener encouraging the speaker to say more (Arnett, 2019). I discovered that therapists could help the speakers to open up more by mirroring or repeating the client’s words. Surprisingly, identified asking clarifying and open questions as the best means to encourage the speaker to disclose issues because they require more than yes or no responses. I also determined that requests such as “say more” seldom produce greater detail and clarity. Therefore, therapists can avoid direct making request for information from the speakers and use questions to obtain additional information.
I was captivated to discover that self-disclosure builds trust between clients and therapists and fosters empathy. Danzer and Andresen note that when human service providers self-disclose, clients are naturally inclined to ask questions that seek additional information about the provider (Danzer & Andresen, 2018). I observed that self-disclosure equalizes the therapeutic relationship by reducing the power differentiation between the human service provider and the patient, which in turns reduces intimidation. Consequently, clients feel less isolated in the experience. However, I realized that the self-disclosure has to be done in dignity for it to be meaningful or otherwise result in compromised relationships if the client comes to view the therapists as too impaired.
References
Arnett, R. C. (2019). Response: Dialogic Listening As Attentiveness to Place and Space. International Journal of Listening, 33(3), 181–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/10904018.2019.1626731
Danzer, G. S., & Andresen, K. (2018). The Different Types of Self-Disclosure. Therapist Self-Disclosure, 39–46. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203730713-6
Frances, K., & Weikel, K. (2014). Helping skills for human service workers: Building relationships and encouraging change (3rd ed). Springfield, IL. Charles C. Thomas
Stewart, J. (2012). Bridges, not Walls: A book about interpersonal communication (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill