On: The Therapist in the Machine

[kelseyfrog]

>Unless you like being a empathetic listening ear to peoples problems and being deferential to their wants, need, or desire instead of your own.

So like a therapist?

[hackit2 → kelseyfrog]

Kind of proved my point why reflective listening only leads to one-sided exchange.

[kelseyfrog → hackit2]

Reflective listening has the main purpose of allowing the speaker to be emotionally validated. Why is this important at all? Because emotional validation is a necessary precursor to modulating beliefs. Contrary to popular beliefs, people are rarely logic-ed into new beliefs, especially away from maladaptive beliefs. For example to someone who feels unloved, telling them they are loved will not change their mind.

I'm not sure what experience you have with changing people's beliefs, but so far this isn't the way to do it.

[hackit2 → kelseyfrog]

If you practise what you preach then why aren't you using it now? Which is why I said, it only leads to one sided exchanges.

[kelseyfrog → hackit2]

Why? Because not every tool can be used in all contexts. I use reflective listening to support friends.

It sounds like your argument is "If reflective listening is better, then it should be used universally." I'm not making that claim. The claim I'm making is that reflective listening is good for emotional validation.

[hackit2 → kelseyfrog]

I'm happy its working for you.