Problem:
Beginning counselors may be less likely to use the skills of reflecting feelings and meaning in their work due to ineffective listening, discomfort or anxiety related to being a new counselor, and uncertainty about how to respond, even though they may believe they are responding appropriately (Hutchinson, 2021; Hill et al., 2007; Horton & Lloyd-Hazlett, 2025). Hutchinson (2021) states that counselors who are unable to push aside their own thoughts and fully listen to their clients cannot accurately reflect feelings and meaning because they are not grasping the full content of what is being shared. At the same time, new counselors often experience discomfort and anxiety related to their new role. This, in turn, can distract them from providing full attention to the client and lead them to forget to incorporate feelings and meaning into their reflections (Hill et al., 2007). Finally, Horton and Lloyd-Hazlett (2025) found that counselors believed they knew how to incorporate feelings and meaning into their role-play reflections but later realized they struggled to implement these skills in the moment. To better equip counselors to use these responses, counseling students can take courses that incorporate role-playing sessions or practice with individuals in their lives, such as family or friends. This allows counselors to gain experience responding effectively to others and better prepares them for work in the field.
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