an introduction to Empathy
9
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential Presentation_I D 1 Empathy Not sexy but worth a mention?
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Transcript of an introduction to Empathy
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 1
Empathy
Not sexy but worth a mention?
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 2
Why on Earth talk about Empathy ?
Client
Therapeuticrelationship
Therapist
positive outcome
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 3
What is it?
‘The power of identifying oneself mentally with [and so fully comprehending] a person or object of contemplation’
Oxford English Dictionary
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 4
Example ONE: Sympathy
“I feel your pain”
Example TWO: Empathy
“I feel your pain and also your strong love for this person”
What is isn’t?
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 5
Our Place In The Therapeutic Alliance
We’re a team!
Client
Positive outcome
Working together towards that positive outcome
20:20 Vision
The member of the team who knows themselves best
Understanding / acceptance / resolution – 20:20 vision
The best it could be – NOT an ending or fix?
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 6
Not Everyone Likes it…..
Fritz Perls for one: -
But Fritz had ‘issues’
“There can be no true contact in empathy.
At its worst it is confluence”
Little Fritz
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 7
The understanding of / between TWO people
The Therapist must Understand the client is several ways: -
- From the client’s own perspective
- In and through the context of their life
- Understand the dissonance between the client’s view and reality
We need to consider their age, sex, culture, family circumstances etc.
Not Just a Basic Skill?
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 8
By applying some skills we all have
- Active Listening [letting them tell their story]
- Reflecting back thoughts and feelings
- Summarising what they have said in terms of what we understand
- Clarifying any ‘open’ issues
Good News: It Can Be Honed ….
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 9
Thank-You
Mark StancombeIntegrative PsychotherapistMBACP (Accred)[email protected]
