1. Empathy The act of becoming other-oriented

2. What is Empathy • It is the act of moving away from our selves and connecting with another human being. • It’s about walking in their shoes and authentically understanding their struggles • It is not sympathy !!!! • You will be more effective with empathy if you have a strong self-concept and self-esteem ....... Why ?????

3. How do we apply it ? • Understanding another's experience from their personal perspective. • Being tuned in to others emotions . • Walk in their shoes....how would you feel in their situation. • You can place your personal beliefs and judgments aside in order to make unbiased decisions.

4. For Consideration • If we are not in touch with their feelings we may have great difficulty with having a sense of conscience , a person may feel no guilt or remorse.... These individuals would have difficulty demonstrating empathy. • Individuals such as this often gravitate toward a life of crime.

5. Challenge Yourselves • Take a moment and think of all the differing backgrounds that your clients will come from. • Naturally , like us ,they will come with a history ..... In some cases this history will be entwined in social deviance. • Are there any clients that you could not work effectively with ??? Be honest with yourself now to prevent disaster later.

6. (Fact) Clients seek and experience more success from professionals who are empathic. • Medical schools now teach this same approach to doctors to in crease success rates in the medical field.

7. * Empathy is an active skill, it’s not just a cognitive action ..... See your text “ empathic listening “. * Clients can sense authentic empathy ... It can not be faked ! * Working effectively will all of your clients will demand empathic growth as a professional.

8. Example • It’s about moving past your own values and principles and truly understanding another persons struggles. • Group work • You may not agree with the act of prostitution , as an example, but what are some of the issues that might lead a person into prostitution ? ...... What issues might they face as a prostitute ? ...... How could you assist them assuming they were seeking your assistance ?

9. In groups answer the following questions to the examples provided below. • A) What are the issues facing these clients ? • B) In what was can you relate to these clients ? • C) How might you assist this group ? • (Example Groups) • Sex offenders • Drug traffickers • Inmates sentenced for murder

10. TedTalks the mothers who found forgiveness, friendship 9:54