ABSTRACT
Prelude, substance and interlude The primary purpose of this book is to provide a substantial text on empathic understanding - a kind of 'All you ever wanted to know about empathy, but were afraid you wouldn't find in one place' volume. As I reflected upon the development of my own understanding of, capacity for, experience and communication of empathy, two main factors stood out, namely learning about client-centred therapy (with reference to Carl Rogers in particular), and my own experiencing (which includes reflecting upon that experiencing). I wanted to somehow combine these two elements as both, it seemed to me, had validity and meaning. Furthermore, they have cross-fertilised and nourished each other over the years.
