Empathy is the visceral experience of another person’s thoughts and feelings from his, her or their point of view, rather than from one’s own (Psychology Today). Empathy is, as Brené Brown states, “feeling with people.”
Empathy plays an integral role in my therapeutic approach. I must be willing to place myself in another person’s situation and either feel their feelings or recognize that others may feel similarly to me. Creating a non-judgmental, empathetic connection with my clients, whether we have shared life experiences or not, is paramount to fostering a space where understanding, healing and growth can begin.
Please feel free to watch the following 2-minute 53-second animated short on Empathy.