More than a feeling.
The article focuses on the neurological basis of empathy and its importance in client-led therapy. It distinguishes between affective empathy, which involves feeling another's emotions, and cognitive empathy, which is understanding another's mental state without necessarily feeling it. The author di...
| Published in: | Therapy Today Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 56 - 60 |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Journal Article |
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British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Feb2026
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| Summary: | The article focuses on the neurological basis of empathy and its importance in client-led therapy. It distinguishes between affective empathy, which involves feeling another's emotions, and cognitive empathy, which is understanding another's mental state without necessarily feeling it. The author discusses the significance of maintaining a balance between empathic engagement and self-awareness to prevent burnout, emphasizing the need for compassion training in therapeutic settings. Additionally, the article highlights the role of cultural humility in enhancing empathic responses and the potential benefits of understanding empathy's mechanisms for improving therapeutic practices. |
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