March 2021 Clinical Supervision Topic: Empathy

This month we’re talking about one of our most important skills: Empathy.

We’ll be referencing Carl Roger’s take on empathy (look at page 4) here.

We’ll also be referencing psychiatrist David Puder’s podcast episode (here), and we’ll discuss how he breaks it into three categories: affective, compassionate and cognitive.

I would love to hear how empathy fits into your current theoretical framework and therapeutic modality, and the unique way you express it in sessions. A few questions to consider:

• Is it already prescribed into your work?

• Is it something you’re organically creating and experimenting with?

• Does it look differently based on the client?

• Are there certain problems or clients you find it harder to empathize with? Others with whom you find yourself easily empathizing?

• How do you see empathy affecting your clients?

Talk to you all soon.