Although most clinicians would agree that empathy is an essential ingredient of effective therapy, they would not likely agree to a common meaning of the concept. This review explores definitions of and obstacles to empathy; systemic, gender, and ethnic dimensions of empathy; perspective taking in marriage; and behavioral, cognitive, and affective interventionsforfacilitating empathy.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Benner, D.
(1989). Toward a psychology of spirituality: Implications for personality and psychotherapy. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 8, 19-30.
2.
Dandeneau, M.
, & Johnson, S. (1994). Facilitating intimacy: Interventions and effects. Journal of Marital an(d Family 'Therapy, 20, 17-33.
3.
David, A.
, & Erickson, C. (1990). Ethnicity and the therapist's use of self. lamily Therapy, 17, 211-216.
4.
Denton, W.
(1991). The role of affect in marital therapy.Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 17, 257-261.
5.
Goleman, D.
(1995). Emotional intelligence. New York: Bantam Books.
6.
Greenberg, L.
, & Johnson, S. (1988). Emotionally focused therapy for couples. New York: Guilford Press.
7.
Ham, M.
(1989). Empathic understanding: A skill for 'joining" with immigrant families. Journal of Strategic and Systemic Therapies, 8, 36-40.
8.
Long, E.
, & Andrews, D. (1990a). Measuring dyadic perspective-taking: Two scales for assessing perspective-taking in marriage and similar dyads. Educational andl Psychological Measurement, 50, 91-103.
9.
Long, E.
, & Andrews, D. (1990b). Perspective taking as a predictor of marital adjustment. journal of Personality and Social Psy(hology, 59, 126-131.
10.
Mackey, R.
, & Mackey, E. (1994, October). Personal psychotherapy and the development of a professional self. Families in Society: 7heJournal of Contemporary Human Services, 490-498.
11.
McCarthy, M.
, (1992). Empathy: The bridge between.Journal ofPastoral Care, 46, 119-128.
12.
McDaniel, S.
(1990). Marital therapy and the resolution of gender role conflict. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 1, 39-49.
13.
Miehls, D.
(1993). Conjoint treatment with narcissistic couples: Strategies to increase empathic interaction. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 64, 3-17.
14.
Miller, A.
(1981). Drama of the gifted child. New York: Basic Books.
15.
Perry, R.
(1993). Empathy-still at the heart of therapy: The interplay of context and empathy. Australia andl New 7ealand Journal of Family Therapy, 14, 63-74.
16.
Rampage, C.
(1994). Power, gender, and marital intimacy. Journal of I'amily Therapy, 16, 125-137.
17.
Roberts, J.
(1991). Sugar and spice, toads and mice: Gender issues in family therapy training. Journal of Marital and Family Theralpy, 17, 121-132.
18.
Snyder, M.
(1989). The Relationship Enhancement model of couple therapy. Person-Centered Review, 4, 358-383.
19.
Snyder, M.
(1991). The Relationship Enhancement model of family therapy: A systematic eclectic approach. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 2, 1-26.
20.
Snyder, M.
(1992). A gender-informed model of couple and family therapy: Relationship Enhancement therapy. Conlemporary Family Therapy, 14, 15-31.
21.
Snyder, M.
(1995). "Becoming": A method for expanding systemic thinking and deepening empathic accuracy. Family Process, 34, 241-253.
22.
Storm, C.
(1991). Placing gender in the heart of MFTI masters programs: Teaching a gender sensitive systemic view. Journal oJ Marital and Family T'herapy, 17, 45-52.
23.
Wilkinson, M.
(1992). How do we understand empathy systemically?Journal of Family Therapy, 14, 193-205.
