Uncovering the components of therapeutic empathy through thematic analysis of existing definitions

To identify the components of therapeutic empathy based on a review of existing definitions.

A search for therapeutic empathy definitions was conducted in two stages. First, a list of empathy definitions from within healthcare contexts was compiled using existing systematic reviews and a database of empathy definitions. The components of those definitions were identified through thematic analysis. Then, forward and backward citation searching (snowballing) of the papers from which those definitions were retrieved was conducted. These papers were randomly sampled and integrated into the analysis until saturation was reached.

The searches yielded 3948 definitions of therapeutic empathy. Saturation was reached after analysing 39 individual definitions. Six interrelated components of therapeutic empathy were identified: exploring, understanding, shared understanding, feeling, therapeutic action, and maintaining boundaries.

This study identified six prevailing components of therapeutic empathy that distinguish it from empathy in general. The findings provide a conceptual starting point that can help the field better focus its understanding and use of activities that relate to empathy in practice.

Future practice, research, and education can use the components generated in this study to more consistently define therapeutic empathy, thereby offering potential to improve patient and practitioner outcomes.