Why does my counsellor repeat my words?

Often within therapy counsellors will repeat back what they have heard you say. This can feel a bit strange at first, but there is a method to it. A counsellor will do this as a way of holding up a mirror to you. It helps deepen your understanding of yourself, and give you a clearer idea of what you are meaning.

Sometimes it won't sound like the therapist has got it right, it is afterall their understanding of what you have said. This gives you the opportunity to fine tune what you have meant , giving you a clearer idea of meaning, and you.

This technique is called 'paraphrasing' and many professionals will use this to check you are both on the same page.

As well as checking understanding it can help deepen empathy, and relational depth between people.