The counsellor who never reads a novel or never opens a book of poetry is neglecting an important resource for empathic development.

Dave Mearns
About This Quote

The counsellor who never reads a novel or never opens a book of poetry is neglecting an important resource for empathic development. In the world of psychology, empathic development is the process by which a person learns to recognize and respond to what other people are feeling and experiencing. Empathy is the ability to recognize another person’s emotions and to share those emotions. Empathic development is a kind of psychological maturity that allows a person to recognize and express feelings, thoughts, and ideas that others may be experiencing without fear of being judged negatively.

Source: Personcentred Counselling In Action

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