Which clinical skill refers to a verbal response that rephrases the essence of the client's message?

• A. Paraphrasing
• B. Reflecting
• C. Attending
• D. Probing

Answer: (A)

Paraphrasing is a verbal response that restates the client's message in your own words to capture the essential meaning. This helps confirm you understood correctly and invites the client to clarify or elaborate, strengthening the collaborative process. It signals active listening and keeps the conversation focused on what the client is communicating. While reflecting centers on the emotional tone and underlying feelings, paraphrasing targets the content and meaning of what was said. Attending refers to being present and perceptive, including nonverbal and verbal cues, rather than restating the message, and probing involves asking questions to gain more information. For example, if a client says, “I’m overwhelmed with deadlines and worried I’ll disappoint my team,” paraphrasing would be, “You’re feeling pulled by deadlines and concerned about letting your team down.”