Reflecting Client Emotions

Recently, while at my counseling practicum site, I purposely used reflecting feeling, reflecting content, and reflecting meaning. Reflecting feelings involves recognizing and speaking out the client’s emotions, for example, saying, “You look overwhelmed right now.” Reflecting content focused on repeating and checking if the client’s feelings were grasped, saying, for example, “It sounds like you’ve exhausted yourself by working hard at school and work” : Reflecting Client Emotions.

Reflecting meaning meant noticing what mattered to the client, as in, “It sounds like having your efforts recognized at work means a lot to your self-worth.” These skills help in different ways: reflecting feeling affirms emotion, reflecting content proves understanding, and reflecting meaning exposes main themes (Tolosa‐Merlos et al., 2022). Together, they encourage understanding and boost the positive therapeutic bond between the therapist and the patient.

While paying attention to the client’s feelings, I found some instances where the words they used differed from the non-verbal cues; for example, in one case, the client mentioned a recent loss and laughed, which raised the suggestion of the possibility of him avoiding complicated feelings. Because of these mixed signs, I chose to highlight the contrast, which encouraged the client to think more deeply about their sad feelings. Noticing when emotions are congruent or incongruent with one another helps the therapist choose the proper intervention and leads to a more practical therapy process (Opland & Torrico, 2024). Observing clients’ emotions lets the therapist get to know them better and support their personal growth.

I now find it easier to handle emotions, but a few feelings still present me with more difficulties. While I can support clients during sadness or fear, anger is more challenging for me because I am afraid it could raise tension and jeopardize our therapeutic alliance. Even so, I know that skipping over complex emotions is not helpful in therapy (Kleiven et al., 2020).

Addressing painful parts of clients’ stories can lead them to feel upset, but when done wisely, it can help them move forward (Muntigl, 2020). Going through therapy is most valuable when the client is willing to show their honest emotions.

References

Kleiven, G. S., Hjeltnes, A., Råbu, M., & Moltu, C. (2020). Opening up: Clients’ inner struggles in the initial phase of therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.591146

Muntigl, P. (2020). Managing distress over time in psychotherapy: Guiding the client in and through intense emotional work. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03052

Opland, C., & Torrico, T. J. (2024, October 6). Psychotherapy and therapeutic relationship. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608012/

Tolosa‐Merlos, D., Moreno‐Poyato, A. R., González‐Palau, F., Pérez‐Toribio, A., Casanova‐Garrigós, G., & Delgado‐Hito, P. (2022). Exploring the therapeutic relationship through the reflective practice of nurses in acute mental health units: A qualitative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32(1–2), 253–263. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16223

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Using Reflecting Skills and Managing the Emotions of Others

1. Before completing this discussion board assignment, you will use the following reflecting skills during one of your sessions. Work with your site supervisor and discuss reflecting skills.
   • Reflect feeling
   • Reflect content
   • Reflecting meaning
     

     Reflecting Client Emotions

2. Afterwards, you will discuss your use of these three items and provide one example for each from your session. How are each of these skills different? Discuss the purpose of reflecting skills.
3. Next, talk about the “feelings” you observed, heard, or identified. Was your client congruent with their emotions?
4. Next you will discuss your comfort level working with emotions (sad, happy, anger, fear). What emotions might challenge you if presented by your client during a session? Would you avoid making a client angry or sad? Can we make clients angry or sad. Why or why not?