Skills for Empathic Listening: A Fresh Look

Product Description

Overview

Learning how to listen with empathy can help build trust and mutual understanding in interpersonal relationships. Michael R. Pollard, LCSW, identifies strategies for improving the quality of our communication with others.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

1. Learn the key characteristics of empathic listening and how it can improve interpersonal relationships;
2. Identify specific practices and skills to improve the quality of listening; and
3. Discover ways to encourage empathic listening in a ministry environment.

Who Should Participate

Priests, deacons, men and women religious, lay ministers, and those involved in vocations, formation, or clergy and ministry personnel needs.

Reflection Questions

Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below.

1. What is my understanding of empathy?
2. How do I set the stage so that an empathic dialogue has a good chance of happening?
3. What are some barriers to making an emotional connection with others?