Toxic Empathy

Who knew empathy alone can be harmful, while compassion is life-giving? Bronwyn's conversation with psychologist and Duke Professor Dr. Noga Zerubavel enlightens us on the difference, which is vital for everyone with empathy -- not just those in the helping professions. We are empowered how to move toward compassion in practical ways. 

 

Noga’s Compassion Slogans as Micropractices: 

• My calm is part of the healing
• I meet suffering with steadiness and skill
• Empathy is the doorway; compassion is the path.
• From absorbing pain to offering care.
• Active presence rather than immersion.
• Care but don’t carry.
• Stay open, stay grounded, move into helping
• Compassion acts where empathy aches.
• Hold the pain lightly, hold the person steadily.
• Let empathy guide action, not paralysis.
• Strong back, soft front (Roshi Joan Halifax)
• Feel enough to understand; stay grounded enough to help.
• I respond to suffering by offering care, support, or help.

Link to Noga's book: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648484650/integrating-mindfulness-into-psychotherapy-for-trauma/

Noga Zerubavel, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and co-founder of Arise Psychological Wellness and Consulting. She is also Medical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine, where she is involved in clinical education and research. She is author of the book Integrating Mindfulness into Psychotherapy for Trauma. She is the former director of an adult psychotherapy clinic for trauma survivors at Duke, where she led a trauma consultation team and supervised clinical psychology interns, postdoctoral fellows, and psychiatry residents. Dr. Zerubavel regularly provides trainings for mental health providers, health care providers, and other organizations on topics related to trauma, mindfulness, clinical supervision, as well as issues of sustainable practice (clinician wellness, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, empathic strain, and trauma-informed organizations).