Active and Passive Listening in Psychotherapy
As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was formed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who reportedly developed the first cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) psychotherapeutic modality in 1955, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding his book, Ask Albert Ellis?: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America’s Best-Known Psychologist.
Now, I invite you to consider that as I’m writing this blogpost, I’m passively hearing an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Rawad. For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines passive as “acted upon rather than acting.”
Although I’m enjoying the progressive house and melodic techno mix played by Rawad, I’m not likely to recall it later. This is because I’m allowing the music to act (i.e., play) upon me rather than me acting (i.e., listening) in a manner that would encode this experience into my memory.
Now, consider that to hear is to perceive or become aware of by the ear, and to listen is to pay attention to sound. Whereas hearing is a passive activity, listening is an active experience.
With this in mind, the APA defines psychotherapy as “any psychological service provided by a trained professional that primarily uses forms of communication and interaction to assess, diagnose, and treat dysfunctional emotional reactions, ways of thinking, and behavior patterns.”
Now, consider that the APA defines active listening as “a psychotherapeutic technique in which the therapist listens to a client closely, asking questions as needed, in order to fully understand the content of the message and the depth of the client’s emotion. The therapist typically restates what has been said to ensure accurate understanding.”
Contrast this concept with passive listening, which the APA defines as “in psychotherapy and counseling, attentive listening by the therapist or counselor without intruding upon or interrupting the client in any way.” I’ve been educated and trained to use both types of listening.
However, I prefer active listening to passive listening, as I view the latter as a method of trying to help people feel better (i.e., catharsis), though without helping them to actually get better (i.e., improving one’s level of functioning and quality of life). Of this, Ellis stated (pages 4 & 5):
I created REBT – which I then called Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) – in 1955, after I’d abandoned Rogerian therapy and psychoanalysis. Both methods were popular at that time, and I was trained in both, but found them too passive; neither approach emphasized what people could do [i.e., active] about their disturbances, and neither prescribed homework assignments, which I considered important then and now.
Personally, client-centered therapy (i.e., Rogerian therapy) and neo-Freudian (i.e., modern psychoanalysis) approaches to mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”) aren’t preferable to REBT. With little doubt, many psychotherapists will disagree.
All the same, as I may passively hear their protestations, I’m not inclined to actively listen to their arguments. Others are free to practice as they see fit, as am I. Now, I hope that you comprehend the distinction between active and passive listening in psychotherapy.
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use
References:
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