Читать книгу Reflexology: The Definitive Practitioner's Manual: Recommended by the International Therapy Examination Council for Students and Practitoners - Beryl Crane - Страница 59

One of the keys to effective therapy work is the skill of active listening. Active listening could be said to consist of:

• Looking at the person who is talking, and sitting quietly with them

• Responding naturally with gestures and expressions

• Doing nothing else but listening to their particular problem

• Reflecting back the essence of what you just heard so that you can explore any inconsistencies (as a means of helping the client to understand their own problems)

• Asking only a few questions.

For reflective listening skills, the practitioner must develop the ability to concentrate on each individual’s problems during consultation, and to give as much space and attention to each and every patient as required. Try and listen and do not be judgemental or too critical of patients’ problems. Take note of their tone of voice and watch their body language; it often tells you more than their speech. Awareness and perception play an important role and patients must be allowed to go at their own pace, as the healing process can be slower than you may have allowed for. Never rush a person through their experiences as this will only force the process. Part of the therapeutic encounter is to develop a mutual trust of each other; as well as becoming a teacher and a guide, it is useful to remember that we can learn from our patients. The holistic healing process is aimed at treating the whole person, the mind as well as the body. Make sure in particular that you are ready to deal with their emotions, as during a reflexology treatment emotional release is often likely to happen. This can take many forms: agitation, anger, anxiety, distress, laughter, often slightly uncontrolled, and tears. All of these are the result of an emotional overload. This release is very important and plays a part in the curative process.

Listening is the key to communication; there is a real art in being a good listener. Some people do not listen. Not listening is much more common in our society than listening. Think about your own experiences. When was the last time someone gave you their complete attention while you were talking? The following situations are indications of not listening:

• Interrupting someone while they are talking

• Taking over a conversation that someone has started

• ‘Switching off while someone is talking, or fidgeting and looking at your watch

• Changing the subject, or responding with an inappropriate answer.

These should be avoided during the questioning process.