Mastering Paraphrasing: 3 Key Techniques for Building Trust and Connection in Therapeutic Relationships
What is Paraphrasing?
Mastering paraphrasing is an essential skill for trainee counsellors. Paraphrasing is a form of rewording what the client has shared without losing the sense or meaning of what they are saying. It focuses on something that is significant for the client, or, as the counsellor or helper, you notice it as being significant for the client.
When applying active listening, there are many techniques we can use, and paraphrasing is just one of them. There is reflection, clarifying, and focusing. However, paraphrasing has an important role to play and can be incredibly powerful in enabling a therapeutic connection.
If we consider that a relationship between one person and another is started through connection, then paraphrasing is a demonstration of that connection. It is an integration of the client’s experience into our experience, which is then relayed back to them. While it may not seem evident, an exchange has taken place. This can be a useful and effective counselling skill, especially for those starting on a CPCAB level 2 counselling skills course.
#1. Accuracy
It is critical to be as accurate as possible to the original intention, the meaning behind the client or helpee shared. This is important because it goes back to what I said above: it builds trust and shows you are actively listening to what the client or helpee is saying. Accuracy helps the client feel understood.
#2. Neutrality
It is ideal that you keep your response as neutral and objective as possible. As counsellors or trainee counsellors, we are not looking to put our thoughts or feelings inside that paraphrase. As long as we are neutral, we provide the client a healthy and non-judgemental space which is essential to that therapeutic relationship.
#3. Clarity
It cannot be underestimated that using clear and simple language is crucial to mastering this counselling skill. There is no reason to get florid or expand on loads of different ideas; keep the language simple. It is helpful as it shows the client you are paying close attention to what they are sharing, allowing them to feel understood.
Those are my three ways to improve your paraphrasing. Either in a therapeutic setting or in our day-to-day conversations, paraphrasing helps us connect and understand what the other person is going through. It radically improves your counselling skills and communication skills and forms a part of our CPCAB level 2 counselling skills course.
Comments