Psychology In Seattle Podcast Empathy Blocks and Butler Narcissism
Jul 23, 2025
Dive into the complexities of empathy in therapy, especially when therapists confront clients' experiences outside their own. Explore the emotional labyrinth of frustration and the importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth. Discover the nuanced power of validation in professional settings, and unpack the intriguing concept of butlerism, where selflessness can spiral into narcissism. Enjoy light-hearted anecdotes and insightful conversations about relationships, technology's impact, and even some humorous takes on social taboos around sexuality.
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Accept and Lean Into Pain
- To support clients with unrelatable issues, suggest they accept their reality and lean into painful feelings.
- Encourage exposure to triggers to reduce distress through growing acceptance and discovering new possibilities.
Empathy Grows by Listening
- Therapists often can't exactly relate to clients' specific experiences, which is normal and expected.
- Empathy grows by listening carefully and assuming clients have logical, understandable reasons for their experiences.
EMDR Apologies Reveal Longing
- A client found her EMDR therapist's apologies for her trauma made her feel acknowledged differently than her long-term therapist's indirect approach.
- This contrast helped reveal her longing for care and opened new therapeutic conversations.
