Excessive head nods, too much or too little eye contact, overuse of mirroring, and constantly saying 'Uh-huh' are examples of what?

• A. Positive attending behavior
• B. Neutral attending behavior
• C. Negative attending behavior
• D. Empathetic attending behavior

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how a counselor’s attending cues—both verbal and nonverbal—shape the sense of being heard and understood in the session. The examples given show negative attending behavior because they can disrupt the client’s flow, feel insincere, or press too hard on the interaction.

Excessive head nods can come across as rehearsed or patronizing, signaling a lack of genuine processing. Eye contact that is either too intense or too scarce can communicate discomfort, distrust, or disinterest, rather than true presence. Overusing mirroring may feel manipulative or distracting, taking the focus away from the client’s own experience. Constantly saying “uh-huh” can interrupt the client, give the impression that the helper is guiding the conversation too closely, and can prevent the client from fully expressing thoughts and feelings.

In contrast, positive attending behavior blends appropriate, natural cues that signal listening and presence—steady eye contact, occasional and genuine nods, responsive but not overbearing facial expressions, and reflective or validating responses that encourage the client to continue. Empathetic attending goes a step further by accurately reflecting feelings and showing understanding alongside these cues, while neutral attending maintains basic attention without strong evaluative or emotional signaling.