What It Means + 6 Main Skills To Practice

Active listening can help make the other person feel more comfortable and at ease in conversation. "This type of approach promotes the experience of security for another person," says psychologist and communications expert Joan Rosenberg, Ph.D. "And when someone feels more confident and understandable, they open up."

A 2012 study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that when doctors implement active listening skills, patients feel more supported and more controlled. While active listening is vital in a patient-doctor setting, it is just as important in other relationships, including romantic, professional, family, or friendly.

“In close relationships, active listening can encourage even deeper emotional intimacy,” says Leeds. "In essence, it gives the speaker the space and the vote to be vulnerable, which can improve relations in both times of peace and conflict."