The human capacity for empathy involves the ability to both understand and share the feelings of others. It encompasses cognitive and affective forms of empathy. For instance, witnessing a friend in distress may lead someone to recognize the sadness and also evoke some pity.
Empathy is linked with positive relational outcomes which include social connection, therapeutic relationship, and constructive conflict is instrumental. Supportive relational connectivity, improved conflict resolution, and stronger therapeutic alliances in counseling are all outcomes associated with and gained as a result of empathy. Unregulated and excessive empathy can result in emotional burnout, or empathic distress.
Empathy imbalance is seen in psychologists with a need for self-care and regulation. Research suggests empathy can be gained through mindfulness or perspective taking exercises. All of this points out the need for empathy as a personal trait as well as an acquired skill.