Research demonstrates that even if empathy - the capacity to perceive or share emotions with other beings or objects - is not part of a person’s communication skill set, it can be taught. Empathy can, therefore be viewed as an acquired communication skill. Cultivating and practicing the skill of empathy among health care providers enhances the quality of care experienced by their patients which, in turn, can even improve work satisfaction for health care providers.
Many communication textbooks or manuals for care giving professions primarily focus on specific communication skills and techniques. Cultivating Empathy takes a different approach; the book sets empathy as the foundation of all therapeutic interactions and teaches the reader to learn the art of empathy by using constructive approaches and research findings from social sciences and neuroscience.
Cultivating Empathy is perfect for any student or practicing health care professional who has felt that there was an absence of rapport when interacting with clients or patients and their families. Real case narratives, dynamic interactive exercises and simulation techniques are also provided in this text to assist helpers to learn how to be more empathetic. Readers will gain awareness about human and emotional aspects of patient care, which will hopefully make a positive contribution to their professional practice.
Many communication textbooks or manuals for care giving professions primarily focus on specific communication skills and techniques. Cultivating Empathy takes a different approach; the book sets empathy as the foundation of all therapeutic interactions and teaches the reader to learn the art of empathy by using constructive approaches and research findings from social sciences and neuroscience.
Cultivating Empathy is perfect for any student or practicing health care professional who has felt that there was an absence of rapport when interacting with clients or patients and their families. Real case narratives, dynamic interactive exercises and simulation techniques are also provided in this text to assist helpers to learn how to be more empathetic. Readers will gain awareness about human and emotional aspects of patient care, which will hopefully make a positive contribution to their professional practice.
Table of Contents
FOREWORDPREFACE
i METHODOLOGY, METHOD & THEORETICAL PREMISE
ii TOPICS ORIGINALLY COVERED IN THE FIRST EDITION OF THE BOOK
iii CHANGES TO THE REVISED EDITION
iv OVERVIEW OF NEW ADDITIONS TO THE CHAPTERS
v REFERENCES
vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
DEDICATION CHAPTER 1 A HISTORICAL DEFINITION OF EMPATHY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PHILOSOPHY, PSYCHOLOGY & NEUROSCIENCE
- LEARNING GUIDE
- INTRODUCTION
- WHY A BOOK ON EMPATHY IS NEEDED
- PHENOMENOLOGY AS METHODOLOGY
- Methodology
- Phenomenology
- Narratives as Method
- Ensuring Research Rigor in Qualitative Inquiry
- Member-checking
- THE ETHIC OF CARE AS THE THEORETICAL PREMISE
- The Moral Connection Between Care Ethics & Empathy
- THE PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF EMPATHY
- 20TH CENTURY PSYCHOLOGY AND EMPATHY
- Heinz Kohut & Self-Psychology
- Psychoanalytical Theory & Behaviouralism as a Prelude to Humanism
- Person-centered Humanistic Psychology
- Carl Rogers & Empathy Research
- Unconditional Positive Regard, Congruence & Empathy: Key Components of Change
- UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD
- Congruence
- Empathy
- The Role of Active Listening, Reflection & Non-verbal Cues
- HOW ARE BENEVOLENCE AND COMPASSION SIMILAR AND DIFFERENT FROM EMPATHY?
- POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
- Positive Psychology from a Historical Perspective
- Flourishing as the Goal of Positive Psychology
- TRADITIONAL EMPATHY VERSUS POSITIVE EMPATHY
- EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
- THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
- The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) & the Emotional Quotient (EQ)
- The Relationship Between Emotional, Social, & Cultural Intelligence
- WHAT DOES SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE TEACH US ABOUT EMPATHY?
- The Role of Mirror Neurons & Empathy
- What Process Enables Us to Know What Another Person is Feeling?
- What Leads a Person to Respond with Compassion?
- Are Mirror Neurons as Important as We Once Believed?
- Caring Professionals’ Experience of Empathy
- SOMETHING TO PONDER
- FOCUS GROUP EXERCISE
- CONCLUSION
- RECOMMENDED READINGS
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER 2 WHEN THE CLIENT/PATIENT FEELS ALL ALONE
- LEARNING GUIDE
- WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE TREATED WITH A LACK OF EMPATHY AND CARE?
- THE VALUE OF LISTENING & INCREASED SELF-AWARENESS
- WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE TREATED WITH INDIFFERENCE
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY TWO: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- HOW A PERCEPTION OF A LACK OF CARE MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY THREE
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY THREE: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS 44 NARRATIVE CASE STUDY FOUR
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY FOUR: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- SOMETHING TO PONDER
- JOURNAL EXERCISE
- CONCLUSION
- RECOMMENDED READINGS
- WEB RESOURCES
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER 3 WHY EMPATHY IS SOMETIMES LACKING: THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
- LEVELS OF EMPATHY
- GENETIC & ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE EMPATHY
- Neural Circuits & Empathy
- Empathy is in Our Genes
- Environmental Factors Matter
- WHAT DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGISTS & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TELL US ABOUT EMPATHY
- WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG: HOW CERTAIN EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES DISCOURAGE EMPATHY
- The Role of Parental Misattunement
- The Role of Neglect and Abuse
- What We Have Learned from Orphanage Studies: Empathy as Necessary for Survival
- HOW MODERN WESTERN SOCIETY INFLUENCES MAY HINDER THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMPATHY
- Social Media May Promote Empathy in Youth
- Some of the Negatives Associated with Social Media: Incivility, Narcissism & Cyberbullying
- Other Factors that May Interfere with Empathy
- BULLYING, EVIL AND A LACK OF EMPATHY
- Evil as an Erosion of Empathy
- People Have the Capacity to Change
- WHY ARE SOME HELPING PROFESSIONALS LACKING THE SKILL OF EMPATHY?
- Empathy Seems to Decline Through the Course of Training & Beyond
- An Over Emphasis on Technology & Science in Education Hinders Empathy
- Ways to Increase Empathy Training in Health Care Programs
- SOMETHING TO PONDER
- CONCLUSION
- RECOMMENDED READINGS
- WEB RESOURCES
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER 4 FOSTERING HUMAN CONNECTION: WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO RECEIVE EMPATHIC CARE
- LEARNING GUIDE
- CARING FACTORS THAT FOSTER HUMAN CONNECTION
- KEY PRACTICES THAT HELP DOCTORS TO CONNECT WITH THEIR PATIENTS 82 ACTIONS THAT MAY IMPEDE EMPATHY
- View Vulnerability as a Strength
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES AND ANALYSIS 85 NARRATIVE CASE STUDY TWO
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY TWO: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY THREE
- SOMETHING TO PONDER
- The significance of being genuine
- IT TAKES PRACTICE TO LEARN TO USE SILENCE
- CONCLUSION
- RECOMMENDED READINGS
- WEB RESOURCES
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER 5 HOW TO BE EMPATHETIC?
- There is Clinical Value in Teaching Health Professionals How to be Empathetic
- SELF-AWARENESS CAN ENHANCE EMPATHY
- Reflective Journaling
- Mindfulness & Mindfulness Meditation
- Obtain Constructive Feedback from Others
- Learning from Lived Experience
- Become Aware of your Non-Verbal Messages
- OTHER-AWARENESS MAY IMPROVE YOUR CAPACITY TO BE EMPATHETIC
- Practice Mindful Listening
- Learn to Read the Other People’s Non-Verbal Cues
- Ask Open-ended Questions
- Clarification & Paraphrasing
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- PRACTICE KINDNESS ON PURPOSE
- POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY & RELATED THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES
- The Benefits of Positive Empathy
- Positive Psychology Exercises
- The Gratitude Visit
- What Went-Well Exercise
- Positive Psychotherapy (PPT)
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY TWO
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY TWO: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- SOMETHING TO PONDER
- GROUP EXERCISE
- CONCLUSION
- RECOMMENDED READINGS
- WEB RESOURCES
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER 6 DEMONSTRATING EMPATHY IN CHALLENGING SITUATIONS
- HOW TO BE EMPATHETIC WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFICULT OR ANGRY
- Make it your Intention Not to Judge
- Imagine What it is Like to Be in the Other Person’s Predicament
- Listen to Other People’s Story
- Remind Yourself that An Acting Out is Often a Desperate Cry for Help
- Stepping Back When Conflict Happens
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- BARRIERS TO SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT
- The Use of Stigmatizing Language Can Be Harmful
- Client Self-Shame & Caregiver Stigma Impede Trust
- TREATMENT MODALITIES THAT SUPPORT RECOVERY
- Non-Judgment & Acceptance
- The Importance of Empathy in Treating Substance Use
- Substance Use & Deficits in Social Functioning. The Beneficial Role of Teaching Social Skills & Empathy
- The Brain Disease Model of Addiction
- Meaning-Centered Therapy (MCT) as an Alternative Approach to Recovery
- Meaning-Making, the Role of the Therapist & Personal Accountability
- Specific Strategies Associated with Meaning-Centered Therapy
- The Risk of Caregiver Burnout & Compassion Fatigue When Caring for Persons with Substance Use
- HOW TO EMPATHIZE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH TERMINAL ILLNESS & IMPENDING DEATH
- Health Professionals Need Training in End-of-Life Care
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY TWO
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY TWO: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- Facing Death May Sometimes Provide a Unique Opportunity
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY THREE
- Background to the Case Study:
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY THREE: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS 141 Offering Empathy & Understanding to Someone Who is Seriously Ill or Dying
- SOMETHING TO PONDER
- EXERCISE TO INCREASE TOLERANCE & ACCEPTANCE
- GROUP EXERCISE
- CONCLUSION
- RECOMMENDED READINGS
- WEB RESOURCES
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER 7 MAKING TRAUMA-SENSITIVE PRACTICE & TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES A PRIORITY
- TRAUMA
- TRAUMA IS PREVALENT IN SOCIETY & HAS NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS
- Trauma & Children
- Trauma Can Affect Anyone at Anytime
- Trauma-Sensitive Practice Differs from Trauma-informed Approaches
- TRAUMA-SENSITIVE PRACTICE
- Trauma-Sensitive Training is Needed
- The Key Elements of a Trauma-Sensitive Practice
- TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES
- The Importance of the Therapeutic Relationship
- The Five Key Principles of Trauma-Informed Approaches
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE
- NARRATIVE CASE STUDY ONE: IDENTIFICATION OF THEMES & ANALYSIS
- SOMETHING TO PONDER
- Understanding The Difference Between Shame & Guilt
- GROUP DISCUSSION
- SOMETHING MORE TO PONDER
- What Hinders & What Helps When Dealing With Emotional Pain
- GROUP DISCUSSION
- CONCLUSION
- RECOMMENDED READINGS
- WEB RESOURCES
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER 8 THE TRAUMA & EMOTIONAL STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH CAREGIVING: THE IMPORTANCE OF FOSTERING RESILIENCY
- TRAUMA & TRAUMATIC STRESS
- WORK RELATED TRAUMATIC CONDITIONS, THEIR CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)
- Vicarious Traumatization
- EXPOSURE TO HUMAN SUFFERING OR WORK-RELATED STRESS: HOW COMPASSION FATIGUE & BURNOUT DEVELOP
- What is Compassion Fatigue?
- WHO IS AT RISK OF ACQUIRING COMPASSION FATIGUE?
- What is Burnout?
- IDENTIFYING THE WARNING SIGNS OF COMPASSION FATIGUE & BURNOUT
- CRITICAL INCIDENT AND INFORMAL DEBRIEFING: HOW THEY HELP AND SOMETIMES HINDER
- TREATMENT FOR COMPASSION FATIGUE
- FOSTERING RESILIENCY AS A WAY TO PREVENT CAREGIVER TRAUMA & COMPASSION FATIGUE
- THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE
- EXQUISITE EMPATHY
Author
- Kathleen Stephany
