Which statement best describes Level 3 in the five levels of communication?

• A. You paraphrase what the client said, but the meaning you provide is superficial.
• B. You do not focus on the client's communication and overlook expressed surface feelings.
• C. You paraphrase what the client said and you add significantly to the client's expressions of feeling.
• D. You not only add significantly to the client's feelings at more than one deeper level, you know you understand what the client is experiencing.

Answer: (A)

Level 3 focuses on restating the client’s message to show you’ve heard them, but the interpretation you offer remains at a surface level. You reflect or paraphrase what they’ve said to confirm accuracy, without adding your own inferences or delving into deeper emotions or meanings. This depth of listening helps validate content and keep the client’s voice central, while avoiding over-interpretation or assuming feelings that aren’t explicitly expressed.

That’s why the best description is paraphrasing the client’s words with a superficial meaning. The other descriptions describe deeper levels of engagement—either moving beyond surface content to add significant emotional meaning or fully recognizing and empathizing with the client’s experience—which go beyond Level 3.