Interpersonal communication skills are an important asset in most professions, but are considered to be especially vital in the profession of psychology. Anderson, Ogles, Patterson, Lambert, & Vermeersch (2009) report that the quality of a therapist’s interpersonal skills is an important factor to be considered when predicting the outcome of psychotherapy. Empathic communication can have a significant effect on building rapport, and on the overall client-therapist relationship. Paraphrasing can be used to facilitate deeper understanding, and can also have an impact on the outcome of therapy. This essay will discuss some of the literature assessing the importance of these two skills, and will include a reflection on the way they are used in the attached video.
Communication of empathy is widely considered to play an important role in developing and maintaining a successful therapeutic relationship between psychologist and client. The term empathy refers to the ability to understand another person’s thoughts and feelings, and to see a situation from that person’s point of view, without judgement (Hazelwood & Shakespeare-Finch, 2011). A therapist’s empathy can be communicated to a client through a variety of different verbal and nonverbal responses. For example, Dowell and Berman (2013) found evidence that high levels of eye contact combined with a forward leaning posture made a significant contribution to clients’ perception of their therapists’ feelings of empathy towards them. An example of the use of eye contact to show empathy can be seen throughout the included video. Moyers and Miller (2013) considered reflecting meaning (also referred to as paraphrasing) to be another method of conveying empathy and understanding to a clien...
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... J. (2011). I’m listening: Communication for health professionals. Brisbane: Inn Press.
Moyers, T.B., & Miller, W.R. (2013). Is low therapist empathy toxic?. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(3), 878-884. doi: 10.1037/a0030274
Rhodes, R.H., Hill, C.E., Thompson, B.J., & Elliott, R. (1994). Client retrospective recall of resolved and unresolved misunderstanding events. Journal of Counseling Psychology 41(4), 473-483. doi: 10.1037/0022-0167.41.4.473
Ridgway, I.R., & Sharpley, C.F. (1990). Empathic interactional sequences and counsellor trainee effectiveness. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 3(3), 257-265. doi: 10.1080/09515079008254256
Sharpley, C.F., Fairnie, E., Tabary-Collins, E., Bates, R., & Lee, P. (2000) The use of counsellor verbal response modes and client-perceived rapport. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 13(1), 99-116. doi: 10.1080/09515070050011097
confirmatory factor analysis of the Interpersonal and Social Empathy Index. Journal Of The Society For Social Work And Research, 4(3)
Empathy is imperative to teach kids from a young age in order to help them recognize mental states, such as thoughts and emotions, in themselves and others. Vital lessons, such as walking in another’s shoes or looking at a situation in their perspective, apprehends the significance of the feelings of another. Our point of view must continuously be altered, recognizing the emotions and background of the individual. We must not focus all of our attention on our self-interest. In the excerpt, Empathy, written by Stephen Dunn, we analyze the process of determining the sentiment of someone.
and how many therapist have used empathy in practice, however, some question if this is actually possible in practice. How can one understand another’s experiences, and its entire
Social interactions are characterized by a fundamental process that allows to understand others ‘sensations by sharing emotions, feelings and beliefs. This ability is called empathy, a controversial and complex “umbrella term” that comprises several elements (Davis et al., 1996). Many researchers are investigating empathy trying to better define it and to decompose its subconstructs (that often overlap between them). A common shared definition suggest that empathy comprises cognitive components like perspective taking, mentalizing or self–other distinction and emotional components such as resonance with the emotions of others and the generation of an appropriate emotional response (Davis, 1996; Decety and Jackson, 2004). In other words, we
Burton defines empathy as the ability to not only recognize but also to share another person’s or a fictional character’s or a sentient beings’ emotions. It involves seeing a person’s situation from his or her own perspective and then sharing his or her emotions and distress (1). Chismar posits that to empathize is basically to respond to another person’ perceived state of emotion by experiencing similar feelings. Empathy, therefore, implies sharing another person’s feeling without necessary showing any affection or desire to help. For one to empathize, he or she must at least care for, be interested in or concerned about
When using empathy with a client, the nurse is able to step into their shoes and understand what they are going through, essentially feeling what they feel (Barkin, 2011, as cited in Davies, 2014, p. 198). Ward et al., (2012) found that being able to communicate on the same platform as your client, meaning to place yourself in the same mindset as them is critically important to create a foundation of reliance (as cited in Davis, 2014, p. 198). Research by Davies (2014) found that embracing the empathic method not only requires you to venture into the mind of your client, but it also necessitates the ability to slide your own personal thoughts and emotions out of the way and dedicate all focus on the individual before you (p. 201). These thoughts expressed by each author, encircle what I already find to be most valuable in a nurse. Acquiring the skills to push your own feelings aside, with emphasis added on not being judgmental is very crucial to building a healthy relationship with your
Current research implies that an empathetic clinician-client relationship and interrelated ecosystems play the majority role in the success of therapy (Kilpatrick & Holland, 2009). The clinician’s ability to be present and actively perceive what the client is experiencing is of utmost importance in creating a therapeutic alliance. It is imperative that the clinician gains positive regard towards the client and their environment displaying honest acceptance towards the client no matter what issues are presented in session. This closely relates to a sincere presentation of genuineness that instills a feeling of honesty within the client and clinician (Kilpatrick & Holland, 2009). An experienced clinician builds upon the therapeutic
...ing silence, paraphrasing and reflection of feelings, as well as non-verbal skills such as body-language and active listening are all used in order to allow the client to introspect and work with their problems in a safe environment, the role of the counselor within the relationship being to support the client and help them to reach their true potential by expressing emotions and thoughts that they can’t express outside of the helping relationship, whether it be for fear of rejection or some other reason.
The counselling process is one that may last for as little as one session or for years, it is within the middles stages of the helping relationship that particular counselling skills such as a focusing, challenging and immediacy can be implemented, as well as use of advanced empathy that can be applied due to increased familiarity with a speaker. Many actions may occur within middles stage of the helping relationship such as transitions that occur for a multitude of reasons and the outcome of which can vary based on the attitude of the speaker. Self-awareness remains vital throughout the entire counselling relationship due to the continual influence of empathy in the helping relationship and remaining aware my own motives and values when using advanced empathy and specific counselling skills. Ethics and boundaries are also involved within the counselling process as within a counselling relationship, I as the counsellor, must be careful with the balance or expenditure of power when challenging.
Empathy has a biological base, as how we feel empathy comes from a person’s brain. Rizzolatti (2004) studied mirror neurons in order to find out how empathy works. These mirror neurons have been discovered in the premotor cortex of monkeys that show when individuals act out a given motor act and when they are observing someone else who is also doing the same motor act. Further evidence shows the existence of these neurons in humans. The human mirror neuron system involves understanding other people’s action and the reason behind them, which is essentially what empathy is about. (Cattaneo & Rizzolatti, 2009).
Bylund, C., Peterson, E., & Cameron, K. (2011). A practitioner’s guide to interpersonal communication theory: An overview and exploration of selected theories. Patient Education and Counselling. Volume 87. Issue 3. Pages 261- 267. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2011.10.006.
7. Woolfe R. & Dryden W. ( 1996) (ed.) Handbook of Counselling Psychology, Sage Publications: UK
Before reading these chapters, and listening to the lectures I had thought empathy was the same thing as sympathy. This brought me back to my first counselling session. It was about ten years ago, and I was telling the counsellor all about my problems at the time. When I looked over to see what she had to say, she was bawling her eyes out beside me. I had always assumed that is what empathy looked like, because I never understood the difference between the two, until now.
One theme of the book that stands out is the counselor as a person and a professional. It is impossible to completely separate one’s personal and professional lives. Each person brings to the table certain characteristics of themselves and this could include such things as values, personality traits and experiences. A great point that Corey, Corey, and Callahan (2010) make is to seek personal therapy. Talking with colleagues or a therapist will keep counselors on their toes and allow them to work out any issues that may arise. This could also prevent counselors from getting into a bad situation. Another good point made in this book was counter transference. Therapists are going to have an opinion and some reactions are going to show through. It is not easy to hide one’s emotions, but a good therapist will keep the objective in sight and keep moving forward. After all, the help counselors are providing is for the client.
S.O.L.A.R stands for facing the person squarely, open body language, leaning slightly forward, maintain eye contact, and relaxed posture. There is so much that can be done in a counseling session that can make or break the start the relationship. Counseling is truly an art of vulnerability, in which someone is being very transparent with you and allowing you to become a part of their inner world. Our facial expressions, gestures, and vocal cues have a huge influence on whether a person opens up to us or not. In my first practice session with a classmate I found myself shutting down early. My topic was deeper than I thought it would be and the counselor’s degree of interest or lack of it was the perception that I felt. A word they said triggered this gesture for me, my interest in opening up begin to dwindle afterward. This was a very good aspect for me to encounter as someone who would like to counsel others. I now understand the importance of my face, my gestures, and my vocal cues. Practicing S.O.L.A.R while also being aware of my facial expressions, gestures, and vocal cues will be a practice that I use in my counseling ministry. I will be mindful of my body language and also when I need a moment to gather my thoughts. In order to be proficient in counseling I will need to be aware of what I can and cannot handle dealing with. Knowing my limits is