Lesson 6 – Empathy as a Two-Way Process
Empathy as a Two-Way Process
VIDEO REVIEW
“Two-Way Empathy” Working Definition – Empathy is a multi-step, bi-directional communication process between two people. Key elements include…
- The observer attempts to put him/herself in the other person’s shoes by attempting to tune in and accurately access and understand the what and why of the other’s inner experience, while maintaining their own perspective.
- This assessment is then communicated to the recipient in order to seek confirmation about the accuracy of the observer’s assessment, and to discover more about the context of the other’s feelings.
- To complete the two-way process, the recipient then provides verbal or non-verbal feedback about the accuracy of the observer’s assessment.
If the observer receives confirming feedback that they have understood the other and accurately reflected the recipient’s feeling back to them, it is called mirroring, and two-way empathy has been completed.
Thus, the recipient is the final judge if two-way empathy happened. If they didn’t feel accurately understood, it still registers as an attempt to achieve empathic connection. When this happens don’t give up and try again!