'An effective listener is a person who is able to
             Respond empathetically to another person, retaining
             Objectivity and not becoming sucked into someone
             Else's mire' ( Porrit L 1990 p.83).
             What do we hear when we listen? Do we hear the message or just an oral sound? Do we hear what is being said, or not being said?
             If we do hear, do we show acceptance of the person and their feelings and understandings of the situation?
             In this essay, I will identify the various skills we need to acquire if we are to become effective listeners. I will look at the importance of these skills, especially during the interaction with clients and show how this can help to improve communication and build relationships based on trust. Whilst looking at all the positive aspects of effective listening, I will provide evidence through several writers to show that negative outcomes will be inevitable if a client does not feel accepted, respected and understood throughout.
             I intend to identify other essential aspects of effective listening such as the observation of body language and gestures, the importance of showing empathy and the skill to enter a clients reality, this includes leaving your own opinions, reasons and judgements to one side so we can understand theirs.
             Finally I hope to show that effective listening benefits all those involved and hopefully improves a situation.
             To be an effective listener we need to develop certain skills, these can be used in stages to guide us through the process of effective or as it is sometimes called active listening.
             According to Frankland and Sanders (1995) the first stage we approach is the skill of observation. It is es...