Learning to listen

A brand new bunch of soon-to-be psychotherapists are starting classes at The Michigan School of Professional Psychology in Farmington Hills.  I have the honor of teaching all 38 of them in a "Clinical Skills Seminar".  This is where they will learn to listen.

Listening is much harder than it sounds, the students discover in their first weeks of class.  It involves hearing the words spoken, the underlying message, tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, and the words & messages NOT spoken.  That's 7 different areas to attend to, while also remaining SOLER: Straight facing the client, Open posture, Lean forward occasionally, Eye contact, Relaxed demeanor. 

At this early stage they are Zen Masters of their trade, proceeding only on good intentions and gut hunches.  Soon they will move up into their heads, for better and for worse.  If I asked them to mirror my feelings right now, they might say "Sounds like you feel worried that we're going to lose our Beginner's Mind".... and they would be right.  The window of idealism closes quickly. 

So for now, I will non-verbally encourage them with raised eyebrows and smiling nods, and I will identify the strengths evident in their fledgling efforts.  This is important work, the making of a humanstic psychotherapist!  Sounds like very important work!!