What is Empathy?

Empathy, as defined by Google, is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes. It is often confused with a similar sounding word, sympathy, which does not quite share the same meaning. Sympathy is when one feels pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.

Even though these definitions are very different, they are often mistaken to be the same thing. Why? Probably because we associate both with negative scenarios. Allow me to illustrate:

If your friend were to tell you that her dog died, you would feel both sympathetic (feeling pity and sorrow for her misfortune) and also empathetic (you put yourself in her shoes, as if you were her, so that you're able to feel what she's feeling). However, if your friend tells you that she recently got a new puppy, you're going to be empathetic -feeling excited and happy - but you're not going to feel sympathetic (unless you have something against puppies).

So really, sympathy and empathy can go hand-in-hand when dealing with a less than ideal situation. We need empathy to feel sympathetic. But, when dealing with happy, positive news and scenarios, such as hearing that your friend has gotten engaged last night or that a close friend finally bought a house, we just need empathy. Empathy allows us to place ourselves in the life of the other and attempt to feel what they are feeling. It can foster better understanding, compassion, and stronger relationships.


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Looking for an empathic psychotherapist to help guide you through life's obstacles and challenges? Contact Empathic Counselling Centre at 647-200-5266 for a free telephone consultation or view my Psychology Today Profile here


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