Which statement best describes active listening?

• A. Asking only yes/no questions
• B. Maintaining awkward posture
• C. Sitting up and listening to clients in a relaxed, open manner.
• D. Interrupting to offer immediate solutions

Answer: (C)

Active listening is about being fully present with the client and showing you hear and understand them through your body language and responses. Sitting up and listening in a relaxed, open manner signals attentiveness, warmth, and safety, which invites the client to share more and helps build trust. This posture also supports noticing nonverbal cues and feelings behind the words, guiding a more accurate understanding of what the client is experiencing.

The other behaviors undermine listening: asking only yes/no questions narrows the conversation and limits understanding; an awkward posture can convey disengagement or discomfort; interrupting to offer immediate solutions disrupts the client’s flow and prevents them from fully expressing themselves.