The online tiff between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Allie Beth Stuckey, over the use of the word ‘empathy’ in political discourse, presents frontline mental health professionals with a bit of a pickle.
It quickly became obvious that both ladies meant something completely different when they said the word ‘empathy’ and all of the subsequent media commentators only added to the confusion.
Which begs the question, ‘what do mental health professionals mean when they say the word empathy?’ forming, as it does, the very foundation of our profession
Over the next few weeks I will explore the three following questions:
1. What do we mean when we say: empathy
2. Does empathy make me a better therapist
3. Can we learn to be empathic
Subscribe if you want to join me on my investigation.