It lets the speaker know how well you understood what they said, and it also allows them to clarify anything that the summary does not accurately reflect. In couples or family therapy, active listening takes place in the presence of a therapist or counselor who guides the process. Or, it can be done informally by following the appropriate steps for good active listening. The goal is to eliminate the usual obstacles to understanding, such as anger or distracted half-listening. Not only do you learn more about that person's situation, you also gain their appreciation for your willingness to listen. Active listening is a communication technique that seeks to increase understanding between a speaker and a listener. Active listening asks that you set aside your need to respond or assert your own ideas in favor of clearly understanding what another person is saying. However, the opposite may be true when someone takes the time to listen and understand you. The open sharing of ideas and feelings can improve relationships, whether at home, school or work. Active listening can help resolve such problems by providing an opportunity to explain clearly how you feel about your co-worker's behavior, while he or she is given a chance to explain and maybe even apologize. Because it involves withholding judgment, active listening provides a safe environment for people to express themselves. He or she then verbally summarizes the key points of the speaker's message to ensure they both agree on what was said. Active listening improves relationships and promotes goodwill. Rather than saying, for example, It really hurts my feelings when you come home late without calling ahead, a partner might say nothing at all in order to avoid conflict, but the hurt feelings remain and can lead to resentment. The listener need not agree with the other person's point of view but should indicate full comprehension of the intended message.