The Importance of Empathy

As counselors, we are to many individuals somewhat of a "last hope."  By that I mean that many people who choose to come to counselors or other mental health professionals do so because they have nowhere else to turn.  Perhaps the problems they face seem too large for them to tackle on their own, they do not know how to constructively work through an issue, or they do not have access to the appropriate resources in order to cope with a dilemma.  Regardless of the reason for seeking help, each and every session with a client is important.

One of the most influential and effective tools practicing within counseling is empathy.  We have read about this concept in the past, and we continue to read about it in modern research.  For example, the study by Kwon & Jo (2012) displays support for the idea that empathy does indeed make a difference in counseling sessions.  Whenever a counselor accurately mirrored a client’s feelings empathically, the outcome of the client’s counseling was much more positive (Kwon & Jo, 2012).  Similarly, Myers (2000) stressed the importance of fulfilling a client’s need to be heard.  When we choose to extend care and understanding into counseling relationships, individuals have the ability to feel safe, open, and willing to develop a relationship with the counselor (Myers, 2000).  It can very easily be said that Carl Rogers was onto something revolutionary in the world of professional mental health.  So often, all clients want and need is someone to care, listen, and understand.

Caption: Clasped Hands

URL: https://pixabay.com/en/clasped-hands-comfort-hands-people-541849/ 

Kwon, K. I., & Jo, S. Y. (2012). The relationship among counselor experience level, empathic
accuracy, and counseling outcome in the early phase of counseling. Asia Pacific Education Review, 13, 771-777. doi: 10.1007/s12564-012-9235-8

Myers, S. (2000). Empathic listening: Reports on the experience of being heard. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 40(2), 148-173. Retrieved from http://journals.sagepub.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/abs/10.1177/0022167800402004