In couples counselling often one partner may not show any empathy for the other. This can create an obstacle towards repairing a rupture in the relationship. Or they may not know how to achieve empathy. Empathy is putting yourself in the other person's shoes. Here is a link to Brene Brown's interpretation of Empathy.
Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. She spent the first five years of her decade-long study focusing on shame and empathy, and is now using that work to explore a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness. She poses the questions:
How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?
If you want to learn more, please view my blog on empathy:
http://www.torontocounselling.blogspot.ca/2015/06/do-i-really-need-to-be-empathic.html
