Empathy and Therapeutic Relationship

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Is Empathy a prerequisite for a good Therapeutic relationship? If so, what is the optimal degree of Empathy required for a positive Therapeutic outcome? In the recent years, much emphasis is placed on understanding what "ingredients" in Therapeutic relationship contribute to a positive outcome. Many researchers have attempted to separate essential aspects of the Therapeutic relationship. Rogers (1957) quoted three essential aspects that were vital to attain a "psychological climate" in where a client could reorganize himself. These aspects were characterized as genuineness in the relationship, acceptance of the client (warmth), and accurate empathic understanding of the clients’ phenomenal world. Findings of previous studies show that these three aspects are separate and can be measured independently (Bergin, 1967; Truax, Wargo, Frank, Imbe, Battle, Hoehn-Saric, & Stone 1966). Therapeutic relationship is defined as the collaboration and attachment between the client and therapist that focuses on meeting the health care needs of the client (Bordin, 1979). In this relationship, the therapist without prejudice shows Empathy, insight, understanding and acceptance of the client. Duan and Hill (1996) defined Empathy as “feeling into” the experience of the client. Over the years, the research evidence keeps piling up, and indicating a high degree of Empathy in a Therapeutic relationship is possibly one of the most potent factors in bringing about positive outcomes in the therapy (Clark, 2010; Greenberg, Watson, Elliot, & Bohart, 2001 & Hartley, 1995). However, recently the focus has been diverted to the aspects of the Therapeutic relationship, which includes Empathy as a predominant factor. The main purpose of this study was to examine ... ... middle of paper ... ...therapeutic relationship. Furthermore, it also implies that empathy could be a prerequisite for a positive change in therapy. Upholding of professional boundaries are as equally integral to the outcome of a good therapeutic relationship. Since a client by default in vulnerable it is the therapist responsibility to sustain a professional relationship. Findings also revealed that empathy is not the only factor for predicting a positive therapeutic relationship, there are other factors like the experience of the therapist, genuineness, trust and unconditional positive regard which also contributes to positive therapeutic relationship. Future researchers could consider the other factors to work on. Perhaps not overstating the overall picture, “accurate” empathy does play a significant role in therapeutic relationship by benefiting both the therapist the client in a way.

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