Measuring empathy during psychotherapy

Why listening to patients is a prerequisite for empathy and may be crucial for healing.

Research indicates that psychotherapy is most helpful when patients think their therapists empathize with them. Patients are more likely to be satisfied with their treatment and more likely to accept their therapists' suggestions. At the same time, a lack of perceived empathy is one of the best predictors of a negative outcome in psychotherapy and increases the likelihood of malpractice litigation.