Final answer:
Listening and then repeating what the client says in your own words is known as paraphrasing, a component of active listening that helps to ensure mutual understanding and is key to building rapport.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for listening to the client and then repeating, in your own words, what you think the client is telling you is known as paraphrasing. Paraphrasing involves processing the information provided by someone else and rewording it without significantly altering the length. It ensures understanding of the point the speaker is making, while actively engaging with them and confirming the message has been correctly received. It's crucial for building rapport and empathy, as it shows that you are paying full attention and that you care about the client's point of view.
Active listening is the broader skill that encompasses paraphrasing along with other techniques like non-verbal cues and showing empathy. Furthermore, it is essential to participate actively in discussions, which may involve asking questions for clarification and offering your ideas. When we paraphrase, we mirror back the original idea using our language, which helps establish background knowledge or simplify complicated ideas. Meanwhile, summarizing involves condensing the information and still retaining the main points in a shorter form.