Empathy

Robert Elliott; Arthur C. Bohart; Jeanne C. Watson; Leslie S. Greenberg

doi:10.1037/a0022187

Empathy

Robert Elliott, Arthur C. Bohart, Jeanne C. Watson, Leslie S. Greenberg

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Abstract

After defining empathy, discussing its measurement, and offering an example of empathy in practice, we present the results of an updated meta-analysis of the relation between empathy and psychotherapy outcome. Results indicated that empathy is a moderately strong predictor of therapy outcome: mean weighted r = .31 ( p < .001; 95% confidence interval: .28 –.34), for 59 independent samples and 3599 clients. Although the empathy-outcome relation held equally for different theoretical orientations, there was considerable nonrandom variability. Client and observer perceptions of therapist empathy predicted outcomes better than therapist perceptions of empathic accuracy measures, and the relation was strongest for less experienced therapists. We conclude with practice recommendations, including endorsing the different forms that empathy may take in therapy.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	43-49
Number of pages	7
Journal	Psychotherapy
Volume	48
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022187
Publication status	Published - 2011

Keywords

empathy
psychotherapy
therapy relationship
Carl Rogers
meta-analysis

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10.1037/a0022187

Elliott, R., Bohart, A.C., Watson, J.C., & Greenberg, L.S. (2011). Empathy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice & Training, 48, 43-49. Accepted author manuscript, 223 KBLicence: Unspecified

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N2 - After defining empathy, discussing its measurement, and offering an example of empathy in practice, we present the results of an updated meta-analysis of the relation between empathy and psychotherapy outcome. Results indicated that empathy is a moderately strong predictor of therapy outcome: mean weighted r = .31 ( p < .001; 95% confidence interval: .28 –.34), for 59 independent samples and 3599 clients. Although the empathy-outcome relation held equally for different theoretical orientations, there was considerable nonrandom variability. Client and observer perceptions of therapist empathy predicted outcomes better than therapist perceptions of empathic accuracy measures, and the relation was strongest for less experienced therapists. We conclude with practice recommendations, including endorsing the different forms that empathy may take in therapy.

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KW - therapy relationship

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Empathy

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