What is the diffence between, paraphrasing, clarifying and reflecting in counselling?

Question

I have found some information on paraphrasing and i know that it means taking what the client has said and repeating it back to them, not necessarily using the same words. But picking up on key words that they are using and repeating it back to them in a way that the content and meaning of what is said remains.

But what is the difference in clarifying and reflecting and are there any websites about this information. thanks :)

Answer 1

Paraphrasing is repeating back to the client what he or she has said--using other words.  

Clarifying is a matter of finding the meaning of what a client is thinking or feeling--aiming for a deeper level of truth or accuracy.  This can be done by asking clarifying questions or by suggesting alternative ways of naming the thought or feeling.  For ex., a client might say to the counselor, "You hurt me."  The counselor might respond with questions or suggestions that may help the client to see that he or she has the power to choose his or her own feelings, to be able to more accurately say, instead, "Last week when you took that emergency cell phone call in the middle of our session, I felt hurt because I don't like interruptions and I believe that our time together should be spent focusing on my process."

Reflecting is a lot like paraphrasing.  It is also known as mirroring.  It can be used to validate a person's honest feelings.  Pema Chodron, on her cd "Meditation for Difficult Times," describes an interaction between a high school counselor and an irate parent.  The father is ranting and raging because the counselor supported his daughter's decision to move out of his home.  Rather than arguing with the parent or cowering in fear, the counselor got in touch with his breathing, heard the father out, and then calmly said, "You must love your daughter so much."  The father then burst out in tears.

Reflecting can be a matter of offering thoughtful reflections about the information that has been shared, or in addition.  So, the counselor in the previous example might say to the client, "I can see how you might feel hurt in response to my decision to take that call.  I agree that our time together is valuable.  Still, I am hoping that you and I can work out a plan for what we can do if I do receive an emergency call..."

These are not hard and fast definitions.  There are many different schools of clinical psychology.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I believe you have already had this answered, so don't quite understand why this question has popped up again!

Answer 3

Reflecting is a Rogerian term, which is similar to paraphrasing. Instead of responding to something a client says, you just reflect it back. Clarifying might mean going a little deeper, asking about something which is a little more intense than the info the client has given. I like the term "doubling" which is a psychodrama term from Moreno. Doubling is reflecting, but also going a little farther, stating something the client hasn't said but might. The client can correct you if you are wrong.