How Parroting Is Used in Therapy

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to Use ParrotingRole in Talk TherapyGoals of Therapy

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How to Use Parroting

Role in Talk Therapy

Goals of Therapy

What is parroting in therapy?Parroting is a conversational technique used in therapy. Thetherapistloosely repeats, or “reflects,” what the client has just said.Parroting is an effective tool in therapy. Its goals are to ensure that the therapist has heard what was said correctly, to encourage the client to clarify their thoughts, and to help the client feel heard and validated.How to Use ParrotingWhen parroting, don’t go too far. It is much better to repeat only the last few words than to attempt to repeat several sentences. Additionally, repetitive parroting can become annoying. It can also make the client feel nervous or edgy.When used properly, parroting can help encourage the client to talk through all sides of an issue and come to their own logical conclusion.Parroting’s Role in Talk TherapyParroting is used in talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. Talk therapy is based on the core idea that talking about the things that are bothering you can help clarify them and put them in perspective.Some talk therapists follow a specific school of thought, such ascognitive theoryor behaviorism. Others use a moreeclectic approach, drawing techniques, and principles from several different theories.What Is Talk Therapy?Goals of TherapyIf you’re seekingtherapy, develop a few goals to have in mind. For example, if you’re a phobia sufferer, your goal likely is to be freed of your irrational fears. Other goals of therapy are:Learn to deal with the disorder.The ultimategoal of any type of therapyis to help the client deal more successfully with a disorder or a situation.Make goals specific.The specific treatment goals depend on the individual client, the therapist’s theories, and the situation at hand. The goal may be concrete, such as quitting smoking, or more abstract, such as anger management.Overcome and manage fear.When talk therapy is used for phobia treatment, there are generally two goals. One is to help the client overcome fear. The second goal is to help the client learn to manage any remaining fear so that he or she is able to live a normal, functional life.Resolve underlying issues:Some forms of talk therapy have a third goal. In psychoanalysis and related therapies, the goal is to discover and resolve the underlying conflict that caused the phobia or other disorder. In interpersonal therapies, the goal is to resolve problems in interpersonal relationships that have resulted from or contributed to the phobia or other disorders.A Word From Verywell MindParroting is a way for a therapist to make sure they’ve heard and understood what the client has said, to encourage the client to share thoughts, and to help validate the client. It’s also a helpful tool in personal relationships, helping the other person feel heard and cared for.Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

What is parroting in therapy?Parroting is a conversational technique used in therapy. Thetherapistloosely repeats, or “reflects,” what the client has just said.

What is parroting in therapy?

Parroting is a conversational technique used in therapy. Thetherapistloosely repeats, or “reflects,” what the client has just said.

Parroting is an effective tool in therapy. Its goals are to ensure that the therapist has heard what was said correctly, to encourage the client to clarify their thoughts, and to help the client feel heard and validated.

When parroting, don’t go too far. It is much better to repeat only the last few words than to attempt to repeat several sentences. Additionally, repetitive parroting can become annoying. It can also make the client feel nervous or edgy.

When used properly, parroting can help encourage the client to talk through all sides of an issue and come to their own logical conclusion.

Parroting’s Role in Talk Therapy

Parroting is used in talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. Talk therapy is based on the core idea that talking about the things that are bothering you can help clarify them and put them in perspective.Some talk therapists follow a specific school of thought, such ascognitive theoryor behaviorism. Others use a moreeclectic approach, drawing techniques, and principles from several different theories.

What Is Talk Therapy?

If you’re seekingtherapy, develop a few goals to have in mind. For example, if you’re a phobia sufferer, your goal likely is to be freed of your irrational fears. Other goals of therapy are:

A Word From Verywell Mind

Parroting is a way for a therapist to make sure they’ve heard and understood what the client has said, to encourage the client to share thoughts, and to help validate the client. It’s also a helpful tool in personal relationships, helping the other person feel heard and cared for.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lord SP, Sheng E, Imel ZE, Baer J, Atkins DC.More than reflections: Empathy in motivational interviewing includes language style synchrony between therapist and client.Behav Ther. 2015;46(3):296-303. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2014.11.002American Psychological Association.Understanding psychotherapy and how it works.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lord SP, Sheng E, Imel ZE, Baer J, Atkins DC.More than reflections: Empathy in motivational interviewing includes language style synchrony between therapist and client.Behav Ther. 2015;46(3):296-303. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2014.11.002American Psychological Association.Understanding psychotherapy and how it works.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Lord SP, Sheng E, Imel ZE, Baer J, Atkins DC.More than reflections: Empathy in motivational interviewing includes language style synchrony between therapist and client.Behav Ther. 2015;46(3):296-303. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2014.11.002American Psychological Association.Understanding psychotherapy and how it works.

Lord SP, Sheng E, Imel ZE, Baer J, Atkins DC.More than reflections: Empathy in motivational interviewing includes language style synchrony between therapist and client.Behav Ther. 2015;46(3):296-303. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2014.11.002

American Psychological Association.Understanding psychotherapy and how it works.

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