How to Be Empathetic?

Chapter Five asserts that there is value in teaching health professionals how

to be empathetic, and empathy is learned by applying strategies that cultivate enhanced

self-awareness and other-awareness. Specific ways to foster self-awareness include

reflective journaling, mindfulness, mindfulness meditation, obtaining feedback from

others, learning from lived experiences, and being conscious of one’s own non-verbal

messaging. Other-awareness is facilitated through: mindful listening, reading other

people’s non-verbal cues, making use of open-ended questions, and seeking

clarification. Practicing kindness on purpose, utilizing Positive Psychology Exercises

and practicing Positive Psychotherapy techniques (PPT) are also highly recommended.

Several stories are featured. In the first narrative, a health professional uses

paraphrasing as a way to demonstrate empathy. In the second story, a client

experiences the benefits of using the What Went Well Exercise on a daily basis that

focuses on gratitude. In the Case in Point, an encounter with a stranger helped a Social

Worker to develop compassion. The Chapter ends with a role-play simulation.

Cite as

CULTIVATING EMPATHY: Inspiring Health Professionals to Communicate More Effectively

Cultural Competence In Assessment And Intervention With Ethnic Minorities: Some Perspectives From Psychology and Social Work

Outcomes Assessment in End - Stage Kidney Disease - Measurements and Applications in Clinical Practice

The Ethic of Care: a moral compass for Canadian nursing practice

The Ethic of Care: A Moral Compass for Canadian Nursing Practice (Revised Edition)

Cultivating Empathy: Inspiring Health Professionals to Communicate More Effectively (Revised Edition)