Forms and transformations of empathy: Subtleties and complexities of empathic communication

ABSTRACTThe role of empathic understanding and responsiveness is central to therapies anchored in self psychology and intersubjectivity theory. The process of achieving and communicating empathic understanding, however, is complex and multiply determined. Understanding on a theoretical level the rationale for employing an empathic mode of observation and response does not necessarily mean that one knows how to do so effectively. To help bridge this gap between theory and practice, the author offers a series of concrete, experience-near suggestions or principles for enhancing empathic understanding and responsiveness. Starting with Kohut, several writers have stated their belief that empathic resonance is a skill that can be developed through training and learning. The author references these previous efforts and adds to them here by defining several choice points and subtleties of how we respond that can make empathic communication more effective. These suggestions emerged from the process of training and supervising mental health professionals in all disciplines and thus are presented as a resource not only for clinicians, but also for teachers and supervisors.KEYWORDS: Empathic communicationforward edgeorganizing principlessubjective experienceteaching empathysupervision Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1 More detailed reports of the use of self psychology theory in short term treatment can be found in Gardner (Citation1991, Citation1999).2 Descriptions of additional procedures by which other authors have described how non-verbal, bodily sensation and posture can facilitate empathic understanding and communication can be found in the work of Brothers and Sletvold (Citation2022, Citation2023) and Nebbiosi and Federici (Citation2022).3 At the time Miller’s article was published, homosexuality was still considered pathological and was included as a diagnosis in the DSM. There has been considerable criticism of Miller’s understanding and treatment of homosexuality from our contemporary perspective. Nevertheless, I believe that much of his article remains valuable for its informative examples of how Kohut understood the concept of responding to the forward edge. For a contemporary perspective on the homoerotic aspects of Jule Miller’s case, see Janna Sandmeyer (Citation2019).4 An extended discussion of this case can be found in Gardner (Citation2020).Additional informationNotes on contributorsJill GardnerJill Gardner, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Chicago, Illinois. She has served on the Post-graduate Education Faculties of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute and the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice. She is a member of the International Council of the International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology and an Associate Editor of Psychoanalysis, Self and Context.