{"id":15531,"date":"2020-04-01T07:05:13","date_gmt":"2020-04-01T05:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/?p=15531"},"modified":"2024-10-16T11:22:59","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T09:22:59","slug":"what-does-reflecting-feelings-mean-in-the-context-of-life-coaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/life-coaching-blog\/what-does-reflecting-feelings-mean-in-the-context-of-life-coaching\/","title":{"rendered":"What does \u2018reflecting feelings\u2019 mean in the context of life coaching?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The more that you practise the art of life coaching<\/a> the better you\u2019ll get at discerning how your clients are feeling. Reflecting feelings is like using a mirror to shine the person\u2019s feelings back at them. This is called mirroring and you basically use the same keywords that the person has spoken and shine that back to them. Paraphrasing is when you try to encapsulate what the person says by using different words.<\/p>\n

Both reflecting feelings and paraphrasing involves mirroring. And while the language of feeling does not consist of words one uses words to try to explain feelings. Imagine paraphrasing the fact that the person says \u201cI\u2019m okay\u201d by using \u201cSo you\u2019re alright then\u201d but completely ignoring the fact that the person is about to burst into tears. So, unfortunately, sometimes paraphrasing can be misleading.<\/p>\n

What reflecting feelings is all about<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you reflect feelings you are embracing yourself in what the client is experiencing as well as what his emotions are. Life coaches<\/a> should be careful not to distinguish between the client\u2019s thoughts and feelings inadequately. The way that sentences are structured and the words that are used could make you misconstrue a feeling for thought.<\/p>\n

For instance, a client may say \u201cI feel that women are discriminated against in the workplace\u201d. That\u2019s a thought and not a feeling even though the word \u2018feel\u2019 was used. Whereas \u201cI feel so frustrated when I see my boss getting away with sexual harassment\u201d describes a feeling.<\/p>\n

Both life coach and client require skills when it comes to reflecting feelings:<\/p>\n

Receiver skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The receiver of the message needs to understand the other person\u2019s body language, his vocal cues and his verbal messages. He needs to tune into the flow of the other person\u2019s emotional reactions and take the context of the message, which he\u2019s hearing, into account. He needs to try and discern the underlying meaning of the other person\u2019s message.<\/p>\n

Sender skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The sender of the message needs to respond in ways that pick up on the receiver\u2019s feelings, phrases and words. He needs to reword or express his feelings appropriately so that the receiver can fully comprehend the message. He needs to use vocal cues and body language that is appropriate to the message in order not to confuse the receiver. He needs to check that the receiver has understood what he has meant.<\/p>\n

\"Trifocus<\/p>\n

Tips for life coaches about how to reflect feelings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here are a few tips for life coaches about the best way of reflecting feelings:<\/p>\n