What is the role of reflection of feeling?

The role of reflection of feeling is primarily to validate and clarify the client's emotional experience. This therapeutic technique involves the counselor actively listening to the client's emotions and then reflecting those feelings back to them, often using similar language or phrasing. This process serves to create an environment of understanding and empathy, allowing the client to feel heard and acknowledged.

By validating the client's emotions, the counselor helps them gain insight into their feelings, which can facilitate deeper exploration of their experiences. This technique fosters a strong therapeutic alliance, encouraging clients to express their emotions more freely and enhancing their self-awareness.

In contrast, sharing the counselor's personal feelings may detract from the focus on the client and could create a power imbalance in the therapeutic relationship. Assessing the effectiveness of therapy usually occurs through different means, such as tracking progress or outcomes, rather than reflection of feelings. Additionally, shifting the focus of the conversation can derail the therapeutic process and may inhibit the client's ability to work through important emotional experiences. Thus, the primary and most beneficial role of reflection of feeling lies in validating and clarifying the client's emotional experience.