An Analogue Study of Therapist Empathic Process: Working With Difference.

Abstract

Most theories of psychotherapy advocate therapist empathy, although little is known about the process. A study, using analogue clinical scenarios, suggests psychotherapists can bridge perceived differences between their clients’ life experiences and their own. Ninetythree therapists viewed 5 videotaped vignettes based on actual cases. Each completed a demographic questionnaire, Interpersonal Reactivity Index (M. H. Davis, 1980), vignette response empathy scale, difference measure, reference point questionnaire, and selfperceived empathy measure. Findings show therapists perceived scenarios as different from their lives and that they were generally empathic across client vignettes. Gender differences emerged on measures of empathy. The research suggests therapists’ ability to use reference points from their own experience may help facilitate empathy when responding to client life stories of difference.