Reassuring

Reassuring: "It will all be OK."

"Reassuring:

An attempt to "jolly" or make the person feel better may give a false sense of security. Sometimes a person needs to be reassured, but it is important to know that, in giving reassurance, exploration of the problem may not take place. In addition, it is possible, for example, that the person may feel it is not "OK" to feel "sad.""

Quick reassurance;

saying things like, “Don’t worry about that.” It is dismissive—it says you don’t think what the speaker is saying is not important or they are mistaken for taking it seriously.

7 Communication Blockers (Grohol)

”Often, instead of offering empathy, we have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling.”

Marshall Rosenberg

“Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing. Instead of offering empathy, we often have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling. Empathy, however, calls upon us to empty our mind and listen to others with our whole being." Marshall Rosenberg

Reflective Listening, 1994 Neil Katz and Kevin McNulty

"Withdrawing

2. Reassuring

Trying to make the other person feel better; trying either to talk the other out of his or her feelings (making the feelings go away) or deny the strength of the feelings.

  • You'll feel different tomorrow

  • Things will get better

  • It's always darkest before the dawn

  • Every cloud has a silver lining.

  • it's not that bad.

  • Don't worry so much about it."