What is active and empathic listening?

Active and empathic listening is an essential skill for effective communication in couples. Often, couples focus on talking, but neglect the skill of listening, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. This is a communication technique that helps to better understand each other, fosters empathy and mutual understanding. In this article, we will explain in detail what active and empathic listening is, its benefits and the skills needed to develop it, as well as provide practical exercises to improve it.

What is active and empathic listening?

Active and empathic listening is a communication technique that involves paying attention to what the other person is saying, understanding their perspective and responding appropriately. This listening technique can be useful in a wide range of life situations, including couple communication. In this context, active and empathic listening helps the couple to better understand each other's thoughts, feelings and needs, leading to greater mutual understanding and improved communication.

Active listening is a skill that involves paying attention and asking questions to better understand what the other person is saying. Empathic listening involves putting yourself in the other person's shoes, understanding their feelings and emotions, and responding appropriately. By listening actively and empathically, empathy and mutual understanding are fostered, which can help prevent conflict and improve communication in a couple.

Benefits of active and empathic listening: Active and empathic listening can be beneficial to the couple in many ways. Some of the benefits include:

• Understanding each other better: Active and empathic listening helps the couple better understand each other's thoughts, feelings and needs, leading to greater mutual understanding and better communication.

• Resolve conflicts: Active and empathic listening can help the couple resolve conflicts effectively by better understanding each other's issues and needs.

• Improve communication: Active and empathic listening can improve communication by fostering mutual understanding and empathy.

• Strengthen the relationship: Active and empathic listening can strengthen the relationship by fostering greater mutual understanding and improved communication.

Skills needed for active and empathic listening: Active and empathic listening requires some specific skills, such as:

Paying attention: It is important to pay attention to the other and avoid being distracted during the conversation. This includes avoiding distractions such as the telephone or television.

Asking questions: Asking questions can help you better understand what the other person is saying. The other person will feel valued and listened to, which will improve their trust and relationship with us.