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Healthy Communication
Active Listening
Fully focusing on, understanding, and responding to what someone is saying without interrupting or judging.
Severity
✅Healthy end
Builds trust and emotional intimacy in relationships.
❌Unhealthy end
Pretending to listen while actually dismissing or minimizing what's being said.
Examples
Checking your phone while your partner shares something important
Interrupting before the other person finishes speaking
Dismissing concerns with 'you're overreacting'
Common Signs
Maintains eye contact
Asks clarifying questions
Reflects back what they heard
Avoids interrupting
Often Confused With
Agreeing with everythingPassive listening
Educational Note
Active listening is a skill that strengthens all relationships. It shows the other person that their thoughts and feelings matter.
What You Can Do
- 1Practice putting away distractions during conversations
- 2Ask 'is there more?' to invite deeper sharing
- 3Reflect back what you heard before responding