Problem
There are so many counseling micro-skills from which to choose. The pyramids are used to conceptualize skills, with attending abilities at the bottom and the paraphrase next as the foundation. I see paraphrasing as part of the foundation because it is so helpful in that it can show understanding, foster empathy, and build rapport. It can even be used in the place of the question as it can encourage the client to continue, thereby eliciting more information from the client without bombarding them with questions. For example, a client says: "I am stuck and just do not know what to do next." Instead of asking another question, such as "What keeps you stuck," a counselor could paraphrase, "It's as though you are at the end of your rope."
When counselors are stuck in a session and do not know what to do next, they can paraphrase or reflect when emotion is evident. By the way, the feeling reflection is just above the paraphrase on my pyramid:)
Is paraphrasing seen as one of the foundations of counseling skills? Why or why not?