This month we’re discussing empathy in our work. We’ll be using past posts from this site to explore (from 2018, 2020 and 2021), and I’d also like you to bring at least one thing you’ve learned about empathy (whether from reviewing the information i’ve provided, or from your own sources) to share with the group.

Here’s what I want to share from The Heart and Soul of Change, page 142:

“With respect to therapist interventions that contribute to beneficial therapeutic process and outcome. . .interventions such as giving advice, directiveness, reflection, open-ended questioning, and support (i.e. encouragement) have generally shown a mixed association with outcome (Beutler et al., 1994). It is possible that different types of clients react differently to these interventions, or that their impact is mediated by various client or therapist factors (e.g. skillfulness). For example, therapist directives was found helpful with resistance-prone depressed clients, whereas non-directive therapists were more successful with low-resistance-prone depressives (Beutler et al., 1991). Exploratory actions were found to better suit clients who were highly motivated or had more coherent self-concepts, whereas supportive interventions were better suited to clients who were less motivated and whose self-concepts were less stable (Horowitz, Marmar, Weiss, De Witt, & Rosenbaum, 1984).

With regard to the impact of these types of interventions on the therapy relationship, one recent study reported that support, exploration of thoughts and feelings, and assessment (e.g. obtaining information) negatively influence the early working relationship (Kivlighan, 1990). Too much assessment and global reassurance could detract from the formation of the relationship. Also, clients may not yet be ready, early in therapy, to explore in depth areas that are of concern (Kivlighan, 1990). It also appears that clients who have difficulties with the relationship may benefit from more supportive techniques, whereas those who form positive alliances may profit more from exploratory interventions (Gaston & Ring, 1992; Marziali, 1984a).

There’s so much to consider here, but mostly I want you to notice the nuance of client needs, the trends of client groups, and that our own thoughtfulness and attunement to this increases the effectiveness of our interventions. This relates to the very layered concept of empathy as well. I’m so looking forward to hearing what you have to share about it.

See you all soon.