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Correct Answer: "your parents' divorce is really making you feel bad, isn't it?"
in the given scenario, a student has approached a guidance counselor expressing distress over her parents' divorce. the counselor’s task is to respond in a way that acknowledges and validates the student's feelings, demonstrating understanding and empathy. among the various possible responses, the reflective response is, “your parents' divorce is really making you feel bad, isn't it?”
a reflective response is a key component of effective communication in counseling. it involves the counselor echoing the client’s emotions and underlying messages back to them. this does not mean simply repeating the client’s words, but rather capturing the essence of what the client is feeling and conveying it back to them in a way that shows understanding. this technique helps clients feel heard and understood, which is crucial for building trust and rapport in the counselor-client relationship.
the response, “your parents' divorce is really making you feel bad, isn't it?” is reflective because it directly addresses the primary issue the student shared—feeling very depressed about her parents' divorce. by phrasing it as a question, the counselor invites the student to elaborate more on her feelings, potentially deepening the discussion and providing more room for the student to explore her emotions in a supportive environment.
other potential responses, such as “i think i know how you feel, but i'm sure things will get better,” or “things might look bad now, but in a month or two you'll be surprised at how much better you'll feel,” may seem supportive but are actually dismissive of the student’s current emotional state. these responses predict a change in feelings and suggest a resolution without acknowledging the depth of the student's present distress. similarly, “lots of kids go through what you’re experiencing, and somehow they learn how to cope,” can make the student feel that her feelings are not unique or particularly significant, which can diminish her experience.
the question, “what do you think you could do to help yourself start to feel better?” while potentially helpful in a different context, is more solution-focused and does not reflect the student's expressed emotion. it shifts the conversation towards problem-solving prematurely, possibly making the student feel pressured to "fix" her feelings rather than simply expressing and understanding them.
thus, the choice of a reflective response like “your parents' divorce is really making you feel bad, isn't it?” is significant because it aligns perfectly with the principles of empathy, active listening, and emotional validation that are central to effective counseling. this approach acknowledges the student’s feelings as valid and important, fostering an environment where she can feel safe to continue expressing herself and exploring her emotions related to her parents’ divorce.
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