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Listening

Fully focusing on the client rather than being distracted or planning a response.
Using minimal encouragers like head nods and "mhmms" to show attentive engagement.
Reflecting back what is heard to clarify and validate the client's experience.
Paying attention to both the content of what is said as well as underlying feelings.
Observing body language, tone of voice and other nonverbal signals.
Suspending one's own assumptions, biases or preconceptions.
Notetaking key details to demonstrate presence and for future reference.
Recognizing when a client needs silence or space to process heavy emotions.

Understanding

Gaining clear insight into what issues, problems or concerns are most important and meaningful for the client to address in therapy.
Comprehending the client's unique experiences, perspective and interpretation of their situation on deeper emotional and cognitive levels.
Considering how factors like culture, identity, environment and history shape the client's present needs and challenges.
Recognizing both overtly expressed needs as well as subtle, underlying needs that the client may not directly voice.
Seeking to understand the function or purpose that certain behaviors, feelings or patterns serve for the client.
Discerning priorities, hopes, values and deeper motivations that color what the client perceives as their primary needs.
Demonstrating comprehension through reflective listening, psychologically-informed questions, summaries and feeding insights back to the client.
Continually re-evaluating understanding as new information emerges and symptoms, presenting issues or the treatment focus may shift over time.

Implementation

Identifying specific strategies, techniques or approach shifts discussed in session that would benefit the client to try adopting.
Collaborating with the client to choose manageable implementation goals that fit with their lifestyle, abilities and readiness.
Discussing practical tactics the client can use to incorporate changes into daily routines and common challenging situations.
Creating a structured plan with clear expectations around frequency, duration or conditions for practice.
Anticipating potential barriers or roadblocks to support problem-solving skills.
Checking progress frequently through continued discussions and tracking tools to sustain motivation.
Adjusting the implementation plan as needed based on client feedback about effectiveness and comfort level.
Processing experiences trying new approaches to enhance learning and facilitate full integration over time.
Reinforcing successes and positive outcomes to encourage further behavioral shifts that serve client needs and goals.