What Makes for Successful Speaker—Listener Technique? Two Case Studies

This article reviews some of the controversy surrounding the use and effectiveness of active listening or the Speaker—Listener Technique (SL) in relational counseling. The purpose and function of SL is described and two case studies are presented to illustrate how SL operates in a therapeutic setting and how the outcomes can vary. These case studies help clarify the factors associated with the outcome of this technique and include relationship commitment, agreement on therapeutic goals, presence of Axis I disorders, and the ability to self-soothe. Additional benefits to using SL are listed and finally, suggestions for successful implementation of the technique and ideas for future research are offered.