ABSTRACT
Personal responsibility counselling and therapy assumes that, within the parameters of their lives, people are responsible for creating and defining their existences. Involvements with others are qualitative as well as quantitative. The psychological skills of relatedness are also important in work settings. People usually are aware when they are creating happiness, but frequently remain unaware when they are hurting and restricting others. The term ‘social empathy’ is used to refer to a broader identification than that required to meet people's need for intimacy. It is possible that at the higher levels of personal responsibility the identification with the community and species may be so strong that self-interest and social interest are synonymous. Responsibility for developing social empathy can be assumed or avoided. Human communication consists of a continuous series of choices by both parties in an interaction. Clients may need help in removing psychological barriers that impede choice.
