Skill

Reflect the Other Person’s Feelings

Acknowledge the emotion another person appears to be expressing.

Before you use this with another personUse communication, repair, return, or contact only when it is lawful and the other person is willing. If a court order limits contact, location, or communication, follow it exactly. A coping or communication skill never creates permission to call, text, message, visit, follow, return, or use another person to pass a message.

What it is

Reflecting feelings means identifying and acknowledging the emotion another person appears to be expressing.

How to do it

Listen for emotion.

Use tentative language.

Name the feeling.

Avoid arguing with it.

Ask whether you understood correctly.

Try It Now

Remember

You can acknowledge a feeling without agreeing with every conclusion attached to it.

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