1. Building Relationships through Empathy
Courtney Jaimes, M.Ed., NCC, LPC
Associate Director-Counseling & Advising, NCTC
Desiré DeMange, M.Ed., LPC
Counselor, NCTC

2. Empathy

3. Empathy
We give our full attention-our presence-to have respectful and/or compassionate understanding
Empathy does not mean agreement-it means seeing/ hearing and understanding
Empathy means DEMONSTRATING understanding NOT giving advise, fixing, suggesting…

4. Why is Empathy Important?

5. Brené Brown on Empathy:

6. Empathy or Sympathy? “Where” am I when I am listening?
Am I leading or following?
Am I in my feelings or am I trying to understand the other person?

7. Guess the “annoying” student’s needs:
Empathy Activity
Guess the “annoying” student’s needs:
Think about one student that you find challenging.
Briefly share about that student and guess 3-4 needs that student might have.

8. What might the “annoying student” need?
Food
Relaxation
Empathy
Health
Humor
Kindness
Movement
Joy
Respect
Safety
Play
Celebration
Rest
Pleasure
Inspiration
Order
Connection
Meaning
Peace
Affection
Belonging
Stability
Appreciation
Communication
Trust
Attention
Cooperation
Freedom
Closeness
Authenticity
Choice
Companionship
Creativity
Ease
Harmony
Learning
Independence
Love
Effectiveness
Power
Support
Accomplishment
Space
Acceptance
Leisure
Spontaneity
Care
Consideration

9. Empathy Activity
What did you notice about yourself in thinking about that student’s needs?
Was it easy or hard to identify needs of your “annoying” student?
How was this activity for you?

10. Empathy Video

11. Thoughts/Feelings about Empathy Video

12. The Lifeboat Activity

13. Boundaries and Resources
Know when to ask for help:
When circumstances become beyond your scope of understanding or role
When your gut tells you (Listen to your gut)
Know who to ask for help:
Supervisor/ Co-workers
Counselors on Campus
Behavior Intervention Team
Refer student to outside resources
Campus Police
Know how to ask for help:
Discuss protocol with your team/ supervisor

14. The Impact of Empathy on an Institution
*Retention rates increase for an Institution when empathic methodologies
are adopted by the entire institution.
What does a 3% retention rate represent for your institution? (a conservative estimate)
10,000 Students in Fall
300 Students retained for 1 more semester
3% Students in Fall
x$1500 Tuition retained for 1 semester
$450,000
300 Students in Fall
Students retained
x$ Tuition retained for 1 semester
$450,000
x Semesters/Students retained through Graduation
$1,350,000 Revenue for the College

15. Empathy
Intentional kindness towards oneself and/or others by taking into account one’s feelings and needs and then intentionally acting to help get those needs met in a way that everyone’s needs can also be met.

17. Take-A-Ways
Building Relationships Through Empathy

18. References: www.espiralmana.org http://voiceseducation.org/node/6799