Witness: A big part of listening is witnessing. This means you listen so your partner doesn’t feel so alone. A powerful way to witness and to “be there” for your partner is to repeat back in your own words what you have heard your partner saying, and thus communicate validation. For example, if your partner has just described a problem with a friend, you can say, “Sounds like you’re really upset with your friend and how she’s been so demanding and judgmental. It makes total sense to me why you’d feel that way.” You don’t have to speak like a therapist. You’re just letting your partner know
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