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A therapeutic relationship refers to the connection between therapist and client. This relationship is critical for providing a safe space for the client and should be built on trust and mutual respect.
Another critical factor for therapeutic relationship success is empathy. Empathy is an essential skill for any therapist, so they can learn to better understand their client’s needs and goals by seeing it through their perspective.
If you study or work in mental health, there are many professional development opportunities to improve your empathy skills. For example, the Masters in Mental Health Counseling program features hands-on classes where students can practice empathy skills.
This article explores the difference between empathy and sympathy, the role of empathy in therapy, and how it contributes to mental health treatment. It’ll also cover the importance of effective counseling and therapy services.
The difference between empathy & sympathy
Before delving into the role empathy plays in therapy, it’s essential to understand how empathy differs from sympathy. While the two terms are commonly used interchangeably, they mean different things—especially in the context of mental health.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines sympathy as the “feeling of concern for someone who is experiencing something difficult or painful.” Sympathy is more of an act of feeling pity for a person without sharing or understanding their feelings.
This is what sets sympathy apart from empathy. Empathy refers to understanding and sharing another person’s experiences and emotions, or at least attempting to understand their perspective and why they feel the way they do.
Empathy often promotes a connection between the parties involved, as it requires being able to “share someone else’s feelings”. On the other hand, sympathy does the opposite.
While sympathy can come from a good place, it puts up a barrier of separation and is about taking pity on the person experiencing a rough or painful event rather than trying to understand them.
The role empathy plays in therapy
Empathy plays a critical role in facilitating strong clinician-patient relationships. Even outside of mental health services, empathy is important across the entire healthcare sector. Studies show that empathy is positively associated with health and social care outcomes.
Receiving any type of healthcare treatment, including counseling and therapy, can be anxiety-inducing. Research shows that empathy can lower patients’ anxiety and distress and improve clinical outcomes. Empathy makes patients feel heard.
Empathy is also the key to any effective therapeutic relationship. The skill acts as a bridge between the healthcare professional and client, allowing for the therapist to genuinely care for and share the client’s feelings.
The skill also facilitates the therapist’s ability to gain a deeper understanding of the client’s world, how they think, and how they feel. This allows for the therapist to better personalise their treatment and approach.
Research has also consistently shown a positive correlation between empathy and building trust and rapport—which are the bedrock of any healthy therapeutic relationship. Empathy has also been shown to improve patient cooperation, especially when it comes to treatment instructions.
Practical strategies for implementing empathy
If you’re a mental health professional looking for practical ways to incorporate empathy, we’ve listed a few effective strategies below.
- Active listening: This is a soft skill that requires being fully present and engaged when someone is speaking. It’s a great way to make someone feel heard and understood.
- Reflection: Incorporating reflective empathy techniques to better understand the other person’s perspective is an effective way to express empathy and share their feelings.
- Validation: Validating a person’s feelings by acknowledging their emotions is a great way to show empathy and provide them a safe space where they feel supported and heard.
The importance of effective mental health treatment
The United States is currently facing a mental health crisis, with millions of people being affected by mental illness each year. The mental health crisis is also particularly concerning for U.S. youth.
Statistics show that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14. They also reveal that 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged between 6 and 17 experience a mental health disorder each year, and the numbers have only been rising over the past decade.
According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the U.S. is facing a mental health professional shortage. Data from the same organization also reveals that 47% of the U.S. population in 2022 lives in an area with a shortage.
With the impending mental health crisis and workforce shortage, it is more important than ever to increase awareness for mental health support services and how soft skills like empathy can make a major difference to patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and hospital readmission rates.
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