To communicate empathically, the listener needs to go through which of the following cycles?

Empathic communication is a cornerstone of theInterpersonal Competenciesdomain, emphasizing the practitioner’s ability to connect with children and families in a supportive, non-judgmental manner. According to thePRA CFRP Study Guide 2024-2025, empathic listening involves a cycle ofattending(actively focusing on the speaker),understanding(grasping the speaker’s emotions and perspective), andresponding(providing feedback that validates the speaker’s feelings). This cycle fosters trust and ensures the speaker feels heard.

OptionD(Attending, understanding, and responding) is correct because it directly reflects the PRA’s framework for empathic communication. The study guide specifies that attending includes nonverbal cues like nodding, understanding involves interpreting both verbal and emotional content, and responding entails verbal affirmations or reflective statements.

OptionA(Encouraging, assuring, and responding) is incorrect because, while encouraging and assuring are supportive, they are not specific to the empathic listening cycle. The PRA framework prioritizes understanding over assurance.

OptionB(Maintaining eye contact, considering feelings, and sympathizing) is incorrect because maintaining eye contact is not universally appropriate (as noted in Question 1) and sympathizing focuses on the listener’s emotions rather than the speaker’s. The PRA emphasizes empathy (understanding the speaker’s perspective) over sympathy.

OptionC(Respecting, acknowledging, and repeating back) is partially correct but incomplete. While acknowledging and repeating back (reflective listening) are components of empathy, “respecting” is too broad and not a specific phase of the empathic cycle per PRA guidelines.