microskills

Microskills refer to a set of small, discrete communication skills used by counselors, therapists, coaches, and other helping professionals to facilitate effective client interaction and promote change. The concept emphasizes that large therapeutic outcomes can result from the skillful combination of simple, observable behaviors applied in the moment. Microskills are typically taught in practitioner training as foundational tools that can be practiced and refined.

Common microskills include attending and listening behaviors—such as facing the client, maintaining appropriate eye contact, open posture, and supportive verbal and nonverbal cues (the “soler” approach)—as well as responses to client talk: paraphrasing content, reflecting feelings, and summarizing. Other skills involve questioning (open-ended to gather information, closed-ended for specifics), focusing to guide discussion toward a particular issue, and using immediacy or feedback to address the here-and-now in the therapeutic relationship. Some curricula also incorporate self-disclosure, ethical use of confrontation, and information sharing when appropriate.

Practitioners apply microskills during sessions to establish rapport, clarify and organize information, encourage client elaboration, and facilitate insight and behavioral change. They are often integrated with broader theoretical frameworks and are taught through modeling, role-play, and supervision; effectiveness is assessed by supervisors or through recorded sessions.

Beyond psychotherapy and counseling, microskills are used in medical interviewing, social work, education, coaching, and conflict resolution, wherever constructive communication and client engagement are important.

Ethical judgment, cultural sensitivity, and appropriate pacing are essential to avoid manipulation or dependency. Ongoing practice and feedback are important for maintaining competence.