Develop rapport
Introductions can be important for developing rapport and trust. When meeting a person for the first time ensure you have accessed any relevant information about them that is available to you. If there is a referral or intake form, become familiar with any details that may help your introduction and first meeting. Take the time and respond to the person as an individual and with genuine empathy and courtesy.
Active listening involves restating what the other person has said using different words to reflect back the content and the feelings of what the person has expressed. Summarising is another key part of active listening. Repeating what the person has said reflects back the content and the feelings of what the person has expressed – you let them know you understand and help encourage further discussion.
