105Avoid the same formula when creating counselor statements, e.g., do not begin
every sentence “It sounds like...” and try to use a range of empathy statements (con-
tent, affect, content and affect). Read your empathy responses aloud to be sure they
are concise and tentative and convey the patient’s experience in your own words.]
Patient Description.
A professional couple, both about 25 years old, recently had their first baby. The
baby was found to have PKU. The couple has just learned all about the diet and the
risk of mental retardation.
Cl Response:
Co Response:
Cl Response:
Co Response:
Cl Response:
Co Response:
Etc.Exercise 5: Primary Empathy Exercise^2
I. Identification of Feelings
For each patient statement below, list three to four possible feelings the patient could be
experiencing when saying the statement. Choose feelings that are close to the surface
of what the patient is saying; do not move to advanced empathy (hidden feelings).
- If I’d known the baby would have hemophilia, I’d never have gotten pregnant in
the first place. - If my Huntington test is positive, then my life will be over.
- Why are you talking to me about an abortion? I’ve already told you that it’s not
an option! - How can I even begin to tell my son that he has muscular dystrophy?
- I’ve already had three miscarriages; I’m not sure I can face another one.
- I don’t know why I’m here. I just came because my doctor told me to.
- Can’t you tell me anything for certain?
- You have no idea how hard it is to have another child with special needs!
- Since my mother died of breast cancer, my dad doesn’t want me or any of my
sisters to be tested. - My sister refuses to give blood so I can figure out if I’m at risk.
(^2) Adapted from Danish et al. ( 1980 ).
4.12 Written Exercises