Reflecting involves repeating back to the client their words exactly as they said them. You can reflect back a whole sentence or just a few key words. It can help a client face their own emotions or thoughts. For example, if a client says, Sometimes I just feel utterly hopeless, like a big cloud descending on me, utterly overwhelmed.
Choosing the words to reflect can help the client understand the strength of their feelings. The therapist could say, like a big cloud descending, utterly overwhelmed. The client might respond, yes, it's so smothering.
Reflecting also shows the client you're trying to understand them better. For more free tips and resources, check out the other videos in the Improve Your Counselling Skills in 60 Seconds series and visit our Counselling and Psychotherapy Hub.