FAQ

What’s it all about?

It’s all about “listening”. Nothing more, nothing less. However, in my experience, my role as a “Listener” is one of the most difficult tasks there is – and it’s not something you can learn “professionally” anywhere.

Why is genuine listening so difficult?

Because we humans constantly have thoughts running through our minds. The trick is to let your own thoughts drift by for an hour and fully “tune in” to the person you’re talking to. Figuratively speaking, this means surfing on the other person’s “(mental) waves”. You “connect” with the other person mentally, but without influencing them. That is what “genuine” listening is.

Why is genuine listening so important?

We all want to be part of a group. We humans are social creatures. That’s part of our evolution. Survival was only possible in a group. And this need – namely, to be accepted by a group – is emotionally essential for survival. But what does that have to do with listening? It’s quite simple. If you never or rarely feel that someone else is truly listening to you, then that simply does not trigger a sense of belonging and acceptance. You get the feeling that the other person just isn’t genuinely interested in you, and that creates a mental and emotional barrier. And that just doesn’t feel good.

Genuine listening triggers a sense of acceptance and belonging. And we humans need that feeling.

Why do you need a “Professional” Listener?

If you have one (or more) people among your friends and acquaintances who are actually able to listen to you for a really long time, then you don’t need a “Professional” Listener.

What distinguishes a “Professional” Listener from an “Everyday” Listener?

In everyday life – whether with immediate family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers – it’s common practice for the other person to listen only for a very short time. Who actually listens for an hour without interruption? That’s absolutely unusual. Every “normal” conversation is a constant back-and-forth between speaking and listening. That’s what we’re used to. These are the typical “superficial” conversations. We rarely really go into depth in these conversations. Even so, “normal” conversations usually make us feel good, because we humans simply need to communicate with others. Often, though, we get the feeling that the other person wasn’t really listening to us. Rather, it seems as though the other person was just waiting for us to finally finish speaking so they could finally have their turn to talk. Or we were completely talking past each other. And the worst part: when the other person is fiddling with their cell phone while you’re talking.

A “Professional” Listener doesn’t interrupt, doesn’t judge or evaluate, and doesn’t offer (unsolicited) advice. Genuine listening is genuine respect and genuine appreciation. That’s what sets it apart from an “Everyday Listener”.

Why should you pay for an hour of listening when the Listener isn’t doing anything except listening?

Because it’s a “real” service provided to people.

What sets us apart from other providers?

Unlike “professional” therapists, psychologists, and life coaches, the “Professional Listener” does not follow a set pattern, structure, or conversational tactics. No. It is “genuine” listening, which is guided exclusively by the speaker’s own natural train of thought. Whatever needs to come out will come out in its own time. While listening, nothing is questioned, nothing is judged, and nothing is rejected. Everything is allowed. There are no rules, except that the listener must let the speaker finish speaking. And, of course, absolute confidentiality regarding everything that is said.

What kinds of topics can I talk about with the Listener?

Anything that’s emotional in your heart or mentally on your mind.

What do I get out of an hour of listening? What are the concrete benefits?

It’s “the” opportunity to finally get everything off your chest. My experience has shown that genuine listening leaves you feeling relieved, at ease, and inwardly free afterward. Simply because you’ve put your thoughts in order again, untangled some knots, and perhaps even found a long-awaited solution to a problem.

Genuine listening is like a massage for the soul. That’s the closest way to describe it.