THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EMPATHY IN PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING (A REVIEW OF LITERATURE)

Abstract

Empathy is the ability to take another person’s role and thus become aware of his feelings as well as his motives, his attitudes, values and beliefs. It depends on our ability to make accurate interpretations of the information other’s give about their internal states. Empathy is the most important skill and is significant in psychological counseling. Counseling efficiency is closely related to the empathetic attitude of the counselor. The accurate empathetic understanding of the clients experience and feelings make the counselling process more effective and gives a positive outcome. The barriers and blocks to communicate effectively can be removed with empathetic listening and showing compassion to support the people.