(Friedman N)

Article Title: EXPERIENTIAL LISTENING

Authors: Neil Friedman

Date:

Affiliation(s): Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Harvard University. private practice of psychotherapy.

Abstract

Experiential listening is listening to the not-yet fully articulated felt sense from which a speaker is talking. It comes out of a combination of Eugene Gendlin’s philosophical work and Carl Rogers’ reflection of feeling response. It is a precise specification of what person-centered listeners (and many other therapists) ought to be listening for. This paper explores first the historical development of experiential listening and then goes very specifically into how I listen in an experiential way. The paper ends with a paean (a song of praise or triumph) to experiential listening.

Topic Area: Using Focusing

Methods Outline

• Deep Listening for emergent feelings

• Focusing

• Self-Empathy

• Reflection

Notes:

• This paper is from a Psychologist and therapist. So it is geared to the client/therapist and transactional relationship. It does mention that the process is useful in general relationships.

• Edwin is more interested in how this process and training can be used in a peer to peer, transformational empathic relationship. How can this be used to foster a personal and social empathic way of being.

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