It is one thing to listen, but quite something else to attune ourselves to what another is saying. In the process of attunement we not only listen, but empathize fully with what the person is saying. We “capture” the essence of what they are saying, checking in with them to assure we have understood exactly what they are saying. This may take multiple efforts and we must not get frustrated in our attempts at attunement. The reward of understanding another is well worth our best efforts.
Dr. David Hawkins, MBA, MSW, MA, PhD, is a Christian Clinical Psychologist and Director of the Marriage Recovery Center. He has helped bring healing to thousands of marriages and individuals and is passionate about working with couples in crisis. If you need help, please reach out to his Client Care Team at 206.219.0145 or through their website. Dr. Hawkins is also a speaker & trainer for the American Association of Christian Counselors and is a best-selling author of over thirty books including Never Fight Again, Gauranteed and When Loving Him is Hurting You. He has two grown sons, is happily married to Christie Hawkins, and lives on Bainbridge Island, outside Seattle, WA.