Empathy, Empowerment, and Self-Agency in Psychotherapy

Authors

  • Richard G. Erskine, PhD University of Deusto, Bilbao

Keywords:

empathy, attunement, relational needs, self-agency, beyond empathy, empowerment

Abstract

Empathy is the ability to emotionally connect with another’s internal sensations and experience. Attunement goes beyond empathy by providing a reciprocal response to the other’s rhythm, affect, and relational needs. We provide empowerment when we validate the function of the other person’s style of thinking, fantasies, and stories. Self-agency is the result of having all of our relational needs acknowledged and validated.

Author Biography

  • Richard G. Erskine, PhD, University of Deusto, Bilbao

    Professor of Psychology and Education

    Training Director, Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy

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Published

2024-12-17

Issue

Section

Articles