Minimal responses

Minimal Responses are the short answer given by the counsellor while the client talks in a conversation. There are some rules that define the minimal responses as it is not use to introduce. Secondly, they are not allowed to give answer to current speaker’s questions and last these are used by counsellor to response the client. Minimal responses are signs that shown the counsellor receiving the message and also encourage the client can continue talking. It is required to use the responses with the rules so that the client understands the message of counselling to use these norms. Expressions, eye contact, posture, and use of movements are the rules that are used by the counsellor to convey the accurate message to client for using these norms (Cooper, 2016).

The responses can be simple nod of the head or one word such as ‘Oh’, ‘Ok’, etc. Everyone has their different perception towards the things as same as these norms are also understand by the client in a different way. These norms do not state the intension of the counsellor due to which the chances of misinterpretation has been arises. Misinterpretation is the cause of conflict between the clients and counsellor that is why; it is danger to use the minimal responses.

References

Cooper, M. (2016) Core counselling methods for pluralistic practice. The handbook of pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy, pp.80-91.