What is reflecting in the context of client counseling?

Reflecting in the context of client counseling involves restating what a client has shared in a way that mirrors their sentiments and feelings. By repeating the last bit of what a client said in their own words, the counselor shows that they are actively listening and attempting to understand the client's perspective. This technique fosters deeper communication, encourages the client to explore their thoughts further, and validates their experiences.

Reflecting is not the same as summarizing, which entails providing a broader overview of the session rather than focusing on specific elements of what the client expressed. Additionally, asking the client to elaborate involves prompting them to provide more detail about a specific topic rather than mirroring their statements. Similarly, expressing empathy pertains to acknowledging and validating the client's feelings without repeating their words, which stands apart from the specific technique of reflecting.