Empathy | Psychology Today

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/FAQPage"> <head> <title>Empathy | Psychology Today</title>  <script> dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; </script>  <meta charset="utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" /> <meta name="description" content="Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/empathy" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Psychology Today" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/empathy" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Empathy" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-12/2025-01.png.jpg?itok=m79gU9iw" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="220580041311284" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=0" /> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" /> <meta http-equiv="x-dns-prefetch-control" content="on" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#191C1F" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#F2F2F2" media="(prefers-color-scheme: light)" /> <meta name="alexaVerifyID" content="ruuD3Gzrr-EaY185APFbxF69Va4" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="G-wasBQCXXJoehIaVW5BsO9VYKt4oqmWGo155wSSakQ" /> <meta name="y_key" content="0f29d521db0a2863" /> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="9AD6650A37790044983CFB6B27D77607" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Psych Today" /> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow" /> <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "dateCreated": "2011-08-23T11:27:11-0400", "dateModified": "2025-02-14T15:36:58-0500", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/empathy", "url": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/empathy", "name": "Empathy ", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Empathy " }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "DefinedTerm", "inDefinedTermSet": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics", "name": "Empathy ", "url": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/empathy" }, "mainContentOfPage": { "@type": "WebPageElement", "name": null, "text": "Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced.Some surveys indicate that empathy is on the decline in the United States and elsewhere, findings that motivate parents, schools, and communities to support programs that help people of all ages enhance and maintain their ability to walk in each other’s shoes." }, "relatedLink": [ "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/altruism", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/aspergers-syndrome", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/autism", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/child-development", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/compassion-fatigue", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/friends", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mind-reading", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mirror-neurons", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/relationships", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/aspergers" ], "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Psychology Today", "url": "https://www.psychologytoday.com", "logo": "https://cdn.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/psychology-today-logo-blue-AMP-left-cropped_0.png", "publishingPrinciples": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/docs/editorial-process" } } ] }</script><link rel="preconnect" href="//cdn2.psychologytoday.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn2.psychologytoday.com" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ar/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-AR" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/cl/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-CL" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/es/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-ES" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/mx/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-MX" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/co/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-CO" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gt/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-GT" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/cr/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-CR" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/pa/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-PA" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/pr/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-PR" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/pe/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-PE" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/uy/fundamentos/empatia" hreflang="es-UY" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-AU" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-CA" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-GB" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-IE" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/empathy" hreflang="x-default" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-NZ" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-SG" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-US" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-ZA" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/theme-assets/touch-icons/apple-touch-icon.png" /> <link rel="amphtml" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/empathy?amp" />  <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/themes/custom/pt/fonts/proxima-nova/proxima-nova-regular.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/themes/custom/pt/fonts/proxima-nova/proxima-nova-semibold.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/themes/custom/pt/fonts/proxima-nova/proxima-nova-bold.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/css/css_wkIgV1MWs-_09JSExKcmU4ztnwRI5ZDgHZ3eEOV6bLI.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=pt&include=eJxVjG0KAyEMRC_kx5FK1KwrRA2JafH23S6F0j_D8Jh5vB5QehuRvyVQSwKynW5d2GMCRccrVpoJyOva1Eb9kAWJUN2z4UvjnaHPYnTPBQ8UHBm9vwwtey-o0yRfDwaBKsCnxiLGQOFHgg22RE1PLP-ew4je51hDEw" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/css/css_LhwNpJchPgjWVAAty3gRBq2cZFpr-qIGfO1EwyJNYIo.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=pt&include=eJxVjG0KAyEMRC_kx5FK1KwrRA2JafH23S6F0j_D8Jh5vB5QehuRvyVQSwKynW5d2GMCRccrVpoJyOva1Eb9kAWJUN2z4UvjnaHPYnTPBQ8UHBm9vwwtey-o0yRfDwaBKsCnxiLGQOFHgg22RE1PLP-ew4je51hDEw" />  <link rel="preconnect" href="//securepubads.g.doubleclick.net" crossorigin /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//securepubads.g.doubleclick.net" /> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="//www.googletagmanager.com" crossorigin /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//www.googletagmanager.com" /> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=GTM-NW5PKS" /> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://resources.psychologytoday.com/directory/search-components/v1.0.14/search-suggestions.min.js" />  <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//analytics.google.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//tpc.googlesyndication.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//page2.googlesyndication.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn-cookieyes.com" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//sb.scorecard.research.com" />  <script> var _comscore = _comscore || []; _comscore.push({ c1: "2", c2: "38584006" }); (function() { var s = document.createElement("script"), el = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.async = true; s.src = "https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/cs/38584006/beacon.js"; el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el); })(); </script> <noscript> <img src=https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=38584006&cv=3.6.0&cj=1> </noscript>  </head> <body class="language-en not-logged-in not-front node--reference"> <div class="backdrop-screen"></div> <a href="#block-pt-content" class="visually-hidden focusable" rel="nofollow"> Skip to main content </a> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push({"":"Psychology Today","entityLangcode":"en","page_type":"node","drupal_node_type":"reference","drupal_node_nid":"72552","drupal_node_title":"Empathy ","userUid":0,"event":"drupal_node_view","ContentWeb":"Basics"});</script>  <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NW5PKS" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){ if (typeof w[l] == 'undefined') { w[l] = [] }; w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.defer=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;j.addEventListener('load', function() { var _ge = new CustomEvent('gtm_loaded', { bubbles: true }); d.dispatchEvent(_ge); });f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-NW5PKS'); </script>  <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <header class="header"> <div> <div id="block-mainnavbarblock" class="block"> <div class="main-nav-wrapper"> <div class="container"> <button id="enabled-mobile-nav-control" class="mobile-nav-control" data-target="#navbarNavDropdown"><span class="visually-hidden">Mobile Navigation</span></button> <nav class="main-nav" role="navigation"> <div class="h1 main-nav--logo logo logo-en"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us">Psychology Today</a></div> <ul class="main-nav--toggles list-style-none d-none d-lg-flex"> <li class="main-nav--toggle"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Find a Therapist</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory"> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory__search"> <div class="h1"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists">Find a Therapist</a></div> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory__search-form"> <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" method="GET" target="_top" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" autocapitalize="off" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="TopB" id="td_search_form"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Zip" data-section-icons="false" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-size="large" data-menu="true" data-menu-items="[{"label":"Therapists","suggestionsUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/intl\/search\/suggestions?query={query}&context=therapists&country-code=us","searchUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/therapists?search={query}","title":""},{"label":"Psychiatrists","suggestionsUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/intl\/search\/suggestions?query={query}&context=psychiatrists&country-code=us","searchUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/psychiatrists?search={query}","title":""},{"label":"Treatment Centers","suggestionsUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/intl\/search\/suggestions?query={query}&context=treatment&country-code=us","searchUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/treatment-rehab?search={query}","title":""},{"label":"Support Groups","suggestionsUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/intl\/search\/suggestions?query={query}&context=groups&country-code=us","searchUrl":"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/groups?search={query}","title":""}]" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <button type="submit" value="Search" title="" class="search-btn default large d-none" aria-label="Search button"></button> <div class="search td-search d-flex"> <div class="menu large d-none d-sm-inline-block"> <div> <button class="td-search--menu-button large">Therapists</button> </div> <ul class="td-search--menu list-style-none"> <li class="selected"> <a href="#" data-selector-option-text="Therapists" data-selector-option-value="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" title="">Therapists</a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-selector-option-text="Psychiatrists" data-selector-option-value="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists" title="">Psychiatrists</a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-selector-option-text="Treatment Centers" data-selector-option-value="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/treatment-rehab" title="">Treatment Centers</a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-selector-option-text="Support Groups" data-selector-option-value="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups" title="">Support Groups</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="large search-suggest-modal has-menu td-search--input"> <div class="close-suggestions d-none"><button>x</button></div> <div class="search-field-container search-suggest-modal large"> <input type="text" id="searchField" class="large search-suggest-modal has-menu" name="search" placeholder="City or Zip" size="25" aria-label="Search input text"> <button type="submit" value="Search" title="" class="search-btn default large d-none" aria-label="Search button"></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory__existing"> <div class="flag-icon"><img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/flags/flag-lg-us.svg" alt="United States" /><strong> Therapists :</strong> <a href="https://member.psychologytoday.com/us/login" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_TopNav_TherapistLogIn">Login</a> <span class="expert-spacer d-inline-block">|</span> <a href="https://join.psychologytoday.com/us/signup" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_TopNav_SignupN">Sign Up</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="navigation--therapist-directory__cities"> <div class="h3"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists">United States</a> </div> <ul class="list-style-none"> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/austin" title="Find a Therapist in Austin, TX" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Austin, TX</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ny/brooklyn" title="Find a Therapist in Brooklyn, NY" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Brooklyn, NY</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/il/chicago" title="Find a Therapist in Chicago, IL" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Chicago, IL</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/co/denver" title="Find a Therapist in Denver, CO" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Denver, CO</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/houston" title="Find a Therapist in Houston, TX" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Houston, TX</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/los-angeles" title="Find a Therapist in Los Angeles, CA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Los Angeles, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ny/new-york" title="Find a Therapist in New York, NY" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">New York, NY</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/or/portland" title="Find a Therapist in Portland, OR" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Portland, OR</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-diego" title="Find a Therapist in San Diego, CA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Diego, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-francisco" title="Find a Therapist in San Francisco, CA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Francisco, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/wa/seattle" title="Find a Therapist in Seattle, WA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Seattle, WA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dc/washington" title="Find a Therapist in Washington, DC" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Washington, DC</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ga/atlanta" title="Find a Therapist in Atlanta, GA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Atlanta, GA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/sacramento" title="Find a Therapist in Sacramento, CA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Sacramento, CA</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav--toggle"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Get Help</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="d-grid main-nav--basics"> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-1 d-grid"> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-first"> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-mental-health"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Mental Health</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/addiction" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/50109">Addiction</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/anxiety" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41827">Anxiety</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/adhd" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41094">ADHD</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/aspergers-syndrome" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41798">Asperger's</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/autism" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/40997">Autism</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/bipolar-disorder" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41105">Bipolar Disorder</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/chronic-pain" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53685">Chronic Pain</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/depression" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/40725">Depression</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/eating-disorders" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41459">Eating Disorders</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-second"> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-personality"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Personality</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/passive-aggression" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53837">Passive Aggression</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/personality" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53843">Personality</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/shyness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53941">Shyness</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-personal-growth"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Personal Growth</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/motivation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53823">Goal Setting</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/happiness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53757">Happiness</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/positive-psychology" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53862">Positive Psychology</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/smoking" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53954">Stopping Smoking</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-third"> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-relationships"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Relationships</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/low-sexual-desire" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/69085">Low Sexual Desire</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/relationships" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53894">Relationships</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/sex" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53931">Sex</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-family-life"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Family Life</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/child-development" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53683">Child Development</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/parenting" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53833">Parenting</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="h3"><a href="/us/basics" class="right-chevron-after">View Help Index</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="main-nav--basics main-nav--basics--column-2"> <div class="main-nav--basics--column-fourth"> <div id="block-gethelpindexlinksblock" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Do I Need Help?</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/us/tests" title="Self Tests" hreflang="en-us"> Self Tests <div class="result-tag">NEW</div> </a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/us/basics/therapy" title="Therapy Center" hreflang="en-us">Therapy Center</a> </li> </ul> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Recently Diagnosed?</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/us/conditions" title="Diagnosis Dictionary" hreflang="en-us"> Diagnosis Dictionary </a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/us/types-of-therapy" title="Types of Therapy" hreflang="en-us"> Types of Therapy </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="block-countrymenufindlinksblock" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Talk to Someone</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" title="Find a Therapist">Find a Therapist</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/treatment-rehab" title="Find a Treatment Center">Find a Treatment Center</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists" title="Find a Psychiatrist">Find a Psychiatrist</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups" title="Find a Support Group">Find a Support Group</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?category=online-counseling" title="Find Online Therapy">Find Online Therapy</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav--toggle"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Magazine</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="main-nav--magazine d-grid"> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-magazine-block-1"> <div><div class="js-view-dom-id-e2078f7372029b81cbdc3ed06a75f4f0e3ce3552eb687e1ecc067d0217ceb6fc"> <div class="h3 main-nav--section-title">Current</div> <div> <div class="magazine-issue magazine-cover-feature"> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2025/01" title="January 2025"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-12/2025-01.png.jpg?itok=m79gU9iw" width="384" height="504" alt="January 2025 magazine cover" title="The New Grown-Up" /> </a> </div> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__text"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2025/01" title="January 2025"> <div class="h3 magazine-cover-feature__date"> January 2025 </div> <div class="h3 magazine-cover-feature__headline"> What It Means to Be an Adult Today </div> </a> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__highlight"><p> There’s been a fundamental shift in how we define adulthood—and at what pace it occurs. PT’s authors consider how a once iron-clad construct is now up for grabs—and what it means for young people’s mental health today. </p></div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="https://subscribe.psychologytoday.com" class="btn btn-info btn-md-cta" title="Subscribe to Psychology Today Magazine">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-magazine-block-2"> <div> <div class="js-view-dom-id-f3dbf095ef1a45143bd918e01fb6477db648efc8fda288b11f0d5d7233ec24b8"> <div class="h3 main-nav--section-title">Recent</div> <div class="magazine-row"> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/11" title="November 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-10/2024-11.png.jpg?itok=MK2t-Nce" width="384" height="504" alt="November 2024 magazine cover" title="Ditch Perfection & Rebalance Your Life" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/09" title="September 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-08/2024-09.png.jpg?itok=f_Oawcrq" width="384" height="504" alt="September 2024 magazine cover" title="Diagnosed in Adulthood" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/07" title="July 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-06/2024-07.png.jpg?itok=pCeLoQbs" width="384" height="504" alt="July 2024 magazine cover" title="Stand Up For Yourself" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/05" title="May 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-04/2024-05.png.jpg?itok=3uPTD2oA" width="384" height="504" alt="May 2024 magazine cover" title="Everyday Triggers" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive" class="btn btn-secondary btn-md-cta" title="Psychology Today Issue Archive">Issue Archive</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav--toggle"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Today</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="main-nav--today d-grid"> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-news-today-menu-block-1"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">News</div> <div class="news-today-menu-block-1-content"></div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-menu-blog-entry-essentials-block-1"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Essential Reads</div> <div class="menu-blog-entry-essentials-block-1-content"></div> </div> <div id="block-menutrendingtopics" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Trending Topics</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/emotional-intelligence" hreflang="en-us" title="Emotional Intelligence">Emotional Intelligence</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/narcissism" hreflang="en-us" title="Narcissism">Narcissism</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/gaslighting" hreflang="en-us" title="Gaslighting">Gaslighting</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/bias" hreflang="en-us" title="Bias">Bias</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/affective-forecasting" hreflang="en-us" title="Affective Forecasting">Affective Forecasting</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/neuroscience" hreflang="en-us" title="Neuroscience">Neuroscience</a> </li> </ul> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title main-nav--basics-index-link"><a href="/us/basics" class="right-chevron-after">See All</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="main-nav--location-switch location-switch"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/country-selector?domain=content&cc=us&cl=en" class="location-switch--link">us</a> </div> <div class="main-nav--toggle main-nav--toggle--search"> <a href="#" class="main-nav--toggle-link">Search</a> <div class="main-nav--panel d-none"> <div class="container"> <div class="main-nav--search"> <div id="block-navsearchblock" class="block"> <div class="h1 main-nav--search-block-form__header">Search</div> <form class="form--search-block-form" action="/us/archive" method="get" id="search-block-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div> <div class="search form-group"> <div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-search-block-form"> <label for="edit-search-block-form--2">Search</label> <input title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." placeholder="Search Archives" type="text" id="edit-search-block-form--2" name="search" value="" size="15" maxlength="128" class="form-text main-nav--search-block-form__input" /> </div> <div class="form-actions form-wrapper" id="edit-actions"> <div class="btn-text icon search"></div> <input class="main-nav--search-block-form__submit btn-info btn btn-default form-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Search" /> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="find-therapist-subheader-block block" id="block-findtherapistsubheaderblock-2"> <div class="td_fat_subheader"> <div class="container"> <div class="td_fat_subheader__content"> <form name="prof_search" method="POST" action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" id="SubHeader_TherpistForm" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_BalTopB_find" class="td_fat_subheader_form fat__callout_form find-therapist--form"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="Find a Therapist (City or Zip)" data-seamless="true" data-button="text" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&country-code=us" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?search={query}" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <div class="td_fat_subheader__magnifying-glass"></div> <input class="td_fat_subheader__search" type="text" name="search" placeholder="Find a Therapist (City or Zip)" aria-label="Search input text"> <button type="submit" name="Submit" value="Search" title="" class="td_fat_subheader_submit" aria-label="Search button"></button> <div class="td_fat_subheader__underline"></div> </div> </form> <div class="td_fat_subheader__verified"> <p><img width="18" height="18" loading="lazy" alt="" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/theme-assets/icons/icon-check-circle-gray.svg"/> Verified by <span class="font-weight-semi-bold">Psychology Today</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="outer-layout-container"> <main class="layout-content layout-container" > <div class="layout-content-full"> <div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-container--grid layout-container--has-left-rail layout-container--has-right-rail retain-ltr-area-order"> <div class="layout-content-main"> <div> <div id="block-pt-content" class="block">       <article data-history-node-id="72552" class="basics-full"> <div class="content-header d-flex reference-header"> <div class="content-header--image"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_75x75/public/shutterstock_310570025_1.jpg?itok=cHy4jIWN" width="75" height="75" alt="Dragon Images/Shutterstock" title="Dragon Images/Shutterstock" /> </article> </div> <div class="content-header--text"> <h1 class="reference__title section-title">Empathy </h1> <p class="reference__review-info fine-print"> <a href="/us/docs/editorial-process" class="reference__review-info-link"> <span class="reference__review-info-icon"></span> <span class="reference__review-info-text">Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff</span> </a> </p> </div> </div> <div> <div class="reference__body"> <div class="field-name-body"> <p>Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced.</p> <p>Some surveys indicate that empathy is on the decline in the United States and elsewhere, findings that motivate parents, schools, and communities to support programs that help people of all ages enhance and maintain their ability to walk in each other’s shoes.</p> </div> </div> <div class="table-of-contents border-top"> <h4 class="table-of-contents--title">Contents</h4> <ul> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#developing-empathy"> Developing Empathy </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#empathy-in-relationships"> Empathy in Relationships </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#the-downside-of-empathy"> The Downside of Empathy </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="reference__sections"> <div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="developing-empathy" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> Developing Empathy </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-04/shutterstock_696057676.jpg?itok=ycCPVYGZ" width="180" height="180" alt="MindStorm/Shutterstock" title="MindStorm/Shutterstock" /> </article> <p>Empathy helps us cooperate with others, build friendships, make moral decisions, and intervene when we see others being bullied. Humans begin to show signs of empathy in infancy and the trait develops steadily through <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/child-development" title="Psychology Today looks at childhood" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">childhood</a> and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/adolescence" title="Psychology Today looks at adolescence" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">adolescence</a>. Still, most people are likely to feel greater empathy for people like themselves and may feel less empathy for those outside their family, community, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/race-and-ethnicity" title="Psychology Today looks at ethnicity" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">ethnicity</a>, or race.</p> </div> <div class="faqs"> <div class="faq faq--1"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Why is empathy important? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Empathy helps us connect and help others, but like other traits, it may have evolved with a selfish motive: <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-minds/201912/empathy-danger-antenna">using others as a “social antenna”</a> to help detect danger. From an evolutionary perspective, creating a mental model of another person's intent is critical: the arrival of an interloper, for example, could be deadly, so developing sensitivity to the signals of others could be life-saving.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--2"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> How do children develop empathy? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Babies display an understanding that people’s actions are guided by intentions and are able to act on that understanding <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-baby-scientist/202001/promoting-empathy-in-our-kids-and-in-ourselves">before they are 18 months old</a>, including trying to comfort a parent. More advanced reasoning about other people’s thoughts develops by around age 5 or 6, and research shows that parents who promote and model empathy raise more empathetic children.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> What’s the difference between empathy and sympathy? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Empathy, sympathy, and compassion are often used interchangeably, but <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201505/empathy-vs-sympathy">they are not the same</a>. Sympathy is feeling of concern<em> </em>for someone else, and a desire that they become happier or better off, while empathy involves sharing the other person’s emotions. Compassion is an empathic understanding of a person's feelings accompanied by <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/altruism" title="Psychology Today looks at altruism" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">altruism</a>, or a desire to act on that person's behalf. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--4 collapsed"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Can we increase our empathy? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Researchers believe people can choose to cultivate and prioritize empathy. People who spend more time with individuals different from themselves tend to adopt a more empathic outlook toward others. Other research finds that reading novels can help foster the ability to put ourselves in the minds of others. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/meditation" title="Psychology Today looks at Meditation" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">Meditation</a> has also been shown to help cultivate brain states that increase empathy.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--5 collapsed faq--last"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> What are <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mirror-neurons" title="Psychology Today looks at mirror neurons" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">mirror neurons</a>? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Some neuroscientists have advanced the concept of "mirror neurons” as <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-imprinted-brain/201204/neurons-mirror-the-diametric-mind">a possible source of empathy</a>. These neurons, it is theorized, enhance the capacity to display, read, and mimic emotional signals through facial expressions and other forms of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/body-language" title="Psychology Today looks at body language" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">body language</a>, enhancing empathy. But whether mirror neurons actually operate this way in humans is a subject of longstanding scientific debate, and some scientists question their very existence. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x250 d-block d-none d-md-block d-lg-none block" id="block-ad-subpage-300x250-programmatically-rendered"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>article continues after advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (!window.ptAdSlots || window.ptAdSlots.length === 0) { window.ptAdSlots = []; } window.ptAdSlots.push('div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9') </script> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="empathy-in-relationships" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> Empathy in Relationships </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-04/shutterstock_358356794.jpg?itok=ZWEJ0vIN" width="180" height="180" alt="Lorena Fernandez/Shutterstock" title="Lorena Fernandez/Shutterstock" /> </article> <p>The ability to convey support for a partner, relative, or friend is crucial to establishing positive relationships. Empathy enables us to <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-bad-looks-good/201810/come-closer-how-get-someone-open-you">establish rapport with another person</a>, make them feel that they are being heard, and, through words and body language, mimic their emotions. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/theory-of-mind" title="Psychology Today looks at Perspective-taking" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">Perspective-taking</a>, or the empathic ability to assume the cognitive state of another person and see a problem through their eyes, can further cement a connection.</p> </div> <div class="faqs"> <div class="faq faq--1"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> How does empathy benefit <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/relationships" title="Psychology Today looks at romantic relationships" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">romantic relationships</a>? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>In healthy relationships, people expect their partners to empathize with them when they face hardship or personal struggles, but <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/attraction-evolved/201802/empathizing-partner-s-emotional-ups-and-downs">the ability to empathize with a partner in good times</a> may be at least as important. In one study, displaying empathy for a partner’s positive emotions was five times more beneficial for relationship satisfaction than only empathizing with his or her negative emotions.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--2 faq--last"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Can narcissists show empathy? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>People high in narcissism, or who have <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/narcissism" title="Psychology Today looks at narcissistic" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">narcissistic</a> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/personality-disorders" title="Psychology Today looks at personality disorder" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">personality disorder</a>, can exhibit empathy and even compassion. However, that ability only goes so far, as ultimately their own needs come first. Some researchers believe <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201609/meet-the-real-narcissists-theyre-not-what-you-think">narcissists can develop greater empathy</a> by developing greater self-compassion, which can increase their own feelings of security and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-esteem" title="Psychology Today looks at self-worth" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">self-worth</a> and enable them to open up to hearing others.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="the-downside-of-empathy" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> The Downside of Empathy </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-04/shutterstock_107833955.jpg?itok=hFxsKFgu" width="180" height="180" alt="wavebreakmedia/Shuterstock" title="wavebreakmedia/Shuterstock" /> </article> <p>Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes can be beneficial, but when it becomes one’s default mode of relating to others, it can blind an individual to their own needs and even make them vulnerable to those who would take advantage of them.</p> </div> <div class="faqs"> <div class="faq faq--1"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Can you be too empathic, or not empathic enough? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>People who regularly put the feelings and perspectives of others above their own <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201505/the-empathy-trap">may experience feelings of emptiness or alienation</a> and develop generalized <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/anxiety" title="Psychology Today looks at anxiety" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">anxiety</a> or low-level <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/depression" title="Psychology Today looks at depression" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">depression</a>. Psychopaths, on the other hand, are capable of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mind-reading" title="Psychology Today looks at empathic accuracy" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">empathic accuracy</a>, or correctly inferring thoughts and feelings, but may have no experiential referent for it: a true <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/psychopathy" title="Psychology Today looks at psychopath" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">psychopath</a> does not feel empathy.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--2"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Can people run out of empathy? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>First responders, humanitarian aid workers, doctors, therapists, journalists, and others whose work involves opening themselves up to others’ pain tend to be highly empathic. However, they may come to share the heartbreak of those they help or whose stories they record. As such “emotional residue” accumulates, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201808/why-some-people-may-simply-run-out-empathy">they may shut down</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/burnout" title="Psychology Today looks at burn out" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">burn out</a>, and become less willing or able to give of themselves.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed faq--last"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> How do I know whether I'm a highly empathic person? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Empaths are often characterized as being highly sensitive and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotional-freedom/201602/10-traits-empathic-people-share">overly focused on the needs of others.</a> They may benefit from time alone, as they find it draining to be in the presence of other people. People who are very empathic are more likely to be targeted by manipulative individuals. For this reason, it is important to create healthy <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/boundaries" title="Psychology Today looks at boundaries" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">boundaries</a> in all relationships, and to be cognizant of relationships with "energy vampires," who are draining to empaths and non-empaths alike.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-2500a5e5b9f28f75c013efd82c28e554a2dfc8dee8eeb568ef08a7ba455d2455"> <section class="basics--essential-reads"> <div class="h2 page-section-header">Essential Reads</div> <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5030905"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/us/blog/intersubjective/202502/my-therapist-was-a-cat-caleb-carrs-my-beloved-monster"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/jonas-vincent-xulIYVIbYIc-unsplash%20%281%29.jpeg.jpg?itok=rcUAdZaY" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Jonas Vincent/unsplash " /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/us/blog/intersubjective/202502/my-therapist-was-a-cat-caleb-carrs-my-beloved-monster" title="My Therapist Was a Cat: Caleb Carr's "My Beloved Monster""> My Therapist Was a Cat: Caleb Carr's "My Beloved Monster" </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> In "My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me," Caleb Carr recounts his extraordinarily loving, therapeutic friendship with his cat. </div> </div> </article> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5030263"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/us/blog/psychology-tomorrow/202502/the-social-life-of-cats"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/shutterstock_2492444091.jpg?itok=eOoNvTFq" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Anderson Passaglia/Shutterstock" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/us/blog/psychology-tomorrow/202502/the-social-life-of-cats" title="The Social Life of Cats"> The Social Life of Cats </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Recent findings reveal the complexity of rapid facial mimicry in house cats. </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5029894"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/us/blog/bodhisattva-wannabe/202501/the-value-of-an-empathy-walk"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-01/pexels-ali-ramazan-ciftci-82252581-11536641.jpg?itok=MecZxQFy" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Pexels/Ali Ramazan Ciftci" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/us/blog/bodhisattva-wannabe/202501/the-value-of-an-empathy-walk" title="The Value of an Empathy Walk"> The Value of an Empathy Walk </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> What if you could foster empathy during a simple walk into town? We can call it an "Empathy Walk" and I think you should try it. </div> </div> </article> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5029673"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/us/blog/leading-with-connection/202501/empathic-leadership-humanizing-the-workplace"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-01/teamwork-3213924_1280.jpg?itok=V1chr7nE" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Mohamed Hassan / Pixabay" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/us/blog/leading-with-connection/202501/empathic-leadership-humanizing-the-workplace" title="Empathic Leadership: Humanizing the Workplace"> Empathic Leadership: Humanizing the Workplace </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Micromanagement kills morale. Discover how leading with empathy can boost engagement, reduce burnout, and create a thriving, people-first workplace. </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-9b05e9b827ec0fd7dce045e4d290b0d9b41419c8eeeb10bd6fe06e7ddac34231 layout-container--grid--content-main-additional basics--recent-posts"> <div class="layout-content-main"> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5031232"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/beyond-the-hot-flash/202502/i-want-to-cry-and-i-dont-know-why"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/pexels-rdne-8172939.jpg?itok=_yArj9Pf" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="RDNE Stock Project / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/beyond-the-hot-flash/202502/i-want-to-cry-and-i-dont-know-why" rel="bookmark">I Want to Cry, and I Don’t Know Why</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> When emotions hit like a tidal wave for no reason, you’re not alone. Here’s what’s really happening during menopause and perimenopause—and what to do about it. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> When emotions hit like a tidal wave for no reason, you’re not alone. Here’s what’s really happening during menopause and perimenopause—and what to do about it. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5031126"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/communal-healing/202502/is-it-time-to-rethink-the-american-dream"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/pexels-brett-sayles-15976818.jpg?itok=JEt2cCs9" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Brett Sayles / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/communal-healing/202502/is-it-time-to-rethink-the-american-dream" rel="bookmark">Is It Time to Rethink the American Dream?</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Young adults face financial instability, disillusionment, and mental health struggles as the traditional American Dream feels out of reach, requiring new definitions of success. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Young adults face financial instability, disillusionment, and mental health struggles as the traditional American Dream feels out of reach, requiring new definitions of success. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5031187"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/peaceful-parenting/202502/why-narcissists-target-emotionally-intelligent-people"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/22E3678D-F286-4A83-9360-F46BDF9C05A4.jpeg.jpg?itok=CDXdvWEi" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Yan Krukau / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/peaceful-parenting/202502/why-narcissists-target-emotionally-intelligent-people" rel="bookmark">Why Narcissists Target Emotionally Intelligent People </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> 3 reasons why a narcissist fixates and targets the emotionally intelligent. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> 3 reasons why a narcissist fixates and targets the emotionally intelligent. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5031085"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-healthy-workplace/202502/leadership-lessons-from-the-mat"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/pexels-pixabay-163064%20%283%29.jpg?itok=UU2nDf0w" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Pixabay/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-healthy-workplace/202502/leadership-lessons-from-the-mat" rel="bookmark">Leadership Lessons From the Mat </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> The impact of escalating divisiveness on mental health, resilience, and bottom-line organizational outcomes underscores the importance of embracing a more agile leadership style. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> The impact of escalating divisiveness on mental health, resilience, and bottom-line organizational outcomes underscores the importance of embracing a more agile leadership style. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5031078"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/common-sense-science/202502/the-battle-within"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/pexels-pixabay-163431.jpg?itok=xnokCjQq" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Pexels/Pixabay" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/common-sense-science/202502/the-battle-within" rel="bookmark">The Battle Within </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> While human aggression is instinctive, fostering emotional intelligence and empathy can lead to healthier resolutions. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> While human aggression is instinctive, fostering emotional intelligence and empathy can lead to healthier resolutions. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5007228"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/what-do-you-mean/202306/the-tug-of-war-empathy-vs-rationality"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/pexels-cottonbro-7678456.jpg?itok=eqkgktGk" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Cottonbro Studio/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/what-do-you-mean/202306/the-tug-of-war-empathy-vs-rationality" rel="bookmark">The Tug-of-War: Empathy vs. Rationality</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Recent research indicates that rational people are more empathic—in their own uniquely cognitive way. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Recent research indicates that rational people are more empathic—in their own uniquely cognitive way. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5030929"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/action-based-dbt/202502/three-signs-you-might-be-a-highly-sensitive-person-hsp"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/artem-beliaikin-6SPU6-KkyhA-unsplash.jpg?itok=1t1hf75B" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Artem Beliaikin /Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/action-based-dbt/202502/three-signs-you-might-be-a-highly-sensitive-person-hsp" rel="bookmark">Three Signs You Might Be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Being an HSP isn’t about “being too sensitive”—it’s about experiencing life in high definition. Here are some clues that might indicate you have the trait of high sensitivity. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Being an HSP isn’t about “being too sensitive”—it’s about experiencing life in high definition. Here are some clues that might indicate you have the trait of high sensitivity. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5030909"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/well-read/202502/struggling-to-achieve-your-goals-try-validation"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/pexels-danxavier-1239288.jpg?itok=5KapsrsP" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Daniel Xavier / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/well-read/202502/struggling-to-achieve-your-goals-try-validation" rel="bookmark">Struggling to Achieve Your Goals? Try Validation</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Caroline Fleck's new book, "Validation," offers readers an inside look into the nuanced validation skills that can transform your relationships and help you achieve your goals. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Caroline Fleck's new book, "Validation," offers readers an inside look into the nuanced validation skills that can transform your relationships and help you achieve your goals. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5030903"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/raising-healthy-boys/202502/teaching-boys-to-disagree"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/pexels-cottonbro-10535907.jpg?itok=Z27YFzl1" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Cottonbro / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/raising-healthy-boys/202502/teaching-boys-to-disagree" rel="bookmark">Teaching Boys to Disagree</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> In a world where social media fuels division, teaching boys to disagree respectfully is more crucial than ever. Discover how the ASK model can help build empathy and understanding. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> In a world where social media fuels division, teaching boys to disagree respectfully is more crucial than ever. Discover how the ASK model can help build empathy and understanding. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5030865"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/thinking-makes-it-so/202502/an-invitation-to-step-outside"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4498195.jpg?itok=p4JgEhqz" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Kaboompics/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/thinking-makes-it-so/202502/an-invitation-to-step-outside" rel="bookmark">An Invitation to Step Outside</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Personal Perspective: From cable news to TikTok to Instagram, we're assaulted by news and noise vying for our attention. Stopping may not be an option, but how about pausing? </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Personal Perspective: From cable news to TikTok to Instagram, we're assaulted by news and noise vying for our attention. Stopping may not be an option, but how about pausing? </p> </article> </div> <nav role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> <ul class="js-pager__items pagination"> <li class="page-item active"> <span class="page-link">1</span> </li> <li class="page-item"> <a class="page-link" href="/us/basics/empathy?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> 2 </a> </li> <li class="page-item"> <a class="page-link next" href="/us/basics/empathy?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> <span>Next</span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="layout-content-left-rail" role="complementary"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/shutterstock_310570025_1.jpg?itok=5Zm0QZYg" width="180" height="180" alt="Dragon Images/Shutterstock" title="Dragon Images/Shutterstock" /> </article> </aside> <aside class="layout-content-right-rail" role="complementary"> <div> <div id="block-resourcesblock" class="block"> <article data-history-node-id="72552" class="resources block-border"> <div class="resources--header"> <div class="h2 resources--title"> Empathy Resources </div> </div> <div class="resources--section resources--section--get-help"> <div class="h3"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" title="Find a therapist near me"> Get Help </a> </div> <p class="resources--cta"> Find a therapist near me </p> <div class="country country--resources-search"> <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" method="GET" class="find-therapist--resources-form" target="_top"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Zip" data-size="medium" data-section-icons="false" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&country-code=us" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?search={query}" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <div class="search td-search d-flex"> <div class="td-search--input"> <div class="search-field-container"> <label for="find_therapist_search" class="d-none"> City or Zip </label> <input id="find_therapist_search" type="text" name="search" placeholder="City or Zip" aria-label="Search input text"> <button type="submit" value="Search" title="" class="search-btn default" aria-label="Search button"></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="resources--section"> <div class="h3">Connected Topics</div> <ul class="list-style-none"> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/altruism" title="Psychology Today looks at altruism">Altruism</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/aspergers-syndrome" title="Psychology Today looks at asperger's syndrome ">Asperger's Syndrome </a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/autism" title="Psychology Today looks at autism">Autism</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/child-development" title="Psychology Today looks at child development">Child Development</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/compassion-fatigue" title="Psychology Today looks at compassion fatigue">Compassion Fatigue</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/friends" title="Psychology Today looks at friends">Friends</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/mind-reading" title="Psychology Today looks at mind reading">Mind Reading</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/mirror-neurons" title="Psychology Today looks at mirror neurons">Mirror Neurons</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/basics/relationships" title="Psychology Today looks at relationships">Relationships</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="resources--section"> <div class="h3">Diagnosis</div> <ul class="list-style-none"> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/conditions/aspergers" title="Diagnosis: Asperger's Syndrome ">Asperger's Syndrome </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="resources--section"> <div class="h3">Test Yourself</div> <ul class="list-style-none"> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/personality/empathy-test" title="Take Test: Empathy Test">Empathy Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/personality/charisma-test" title="Take Test: Charisma Test">Charisma Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/relationships/interpersonal-communication-skills-test" title="Take Test: Interpersonal Communication Skills Test">Interpersonal Communication Skills Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/relationships/listening-skills-test" title="Take Test: Listening Skills Test">Listening Skills Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/relationships/emotional-availability-test" title="Take Test: Emotional Availability Test">Emotional Availability Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/health/mental-health-assessment" title="Take Test: Your Mental Health Today Test">Your Mental Health Today Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/health/do-i-need-therapy" title="Take Test: Do I Need Therapy?">Do I Need Therapy?</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/relationships/social-skills-test" title="Take Test: Social Skills Test">Social Skills Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/iq/wisdom-test" title="Take Test: Wisdom Test">Wisdom Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/relationships/kindness-test" title="Take Test: Kindness Test">Kindness Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/career/leadership-style-test" title="Take Test: Visionary Leadership Test">Visionary Leadership Test</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/us/tests/relationships/forgiveness-test" title="Take Test: Forgiveness Test">Forgiveness Test</a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-blog-entry-most-popular-block-reference"> <div class="h2 block-title">Most Popular</div> <div class="most-popular-block-content"></div> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--multisize d-none d-lg-block d-xl-block block" id="block-ad-reference-300x-right-www"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1391201642419-0" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (!window.ptAdSlots || window.ptAdSlots.length === 0) { window.ptAdSlots = []; } window.ptAdSlots.push('div-gpt-ad-1391201642419-0') </script> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-findatherapistreferenceblock" class="block"> <div class="country find-therapist"> <div class="find-therapist--main"> <div class="h2 find-therapist--title"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" title="Find a Therapist">Find a Therapist</a></div> <p class="find-therapist--copy"> Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today. </p> <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" method="GET" class="find-therapist--form"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Zip" data-size="medium" data-section-icons="false" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&country-code=us" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?search={query}" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <div class="search td-search d-flex"> <div class="td-search--input"> <div class="search-field-container"> <label for="find_therapist_search" class="d-none"> City or Zip </label> <input id="find_therapist_search" type="text" name="search" placeholder="City or Zip" aria-label="Search input text"> <button type="submit" value="Search" title="" class="search-btn default" aria-label="Search button"></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> <div class="find-therapist--image d-flex"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/default_images/counseling.jpg" width="310" height="300" alt="Counselling" title="Counselling" /> </div> <div class="h3 find-therapist--cities-title">Cities:</div> <ul class="find-therapist--cities list-style-none"> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ga/atlanta" title="Find a Therapist in Atlanta, GA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Atlanta, GA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/austin" title="Find a Therapist in Austin, TX" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Austin, TX</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/md/baltimore" title="Find a Therapist in Baltimore, MD" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Baltimore, MD</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ma/boston" title="Find a Therapist in Boston, MA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Boston, MA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ny/brooklyn" title="Find a Therapist in Brooklyn, NY" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Brooklyn, NY</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/nc/charlotte" title="Find a Therapist in Charlotte, NC" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Charlotte, NC</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/il/chicago" title="Find a Therapist in Chicago, IL" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Chicago, IL</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/oh/columbus" title="Find a Therapist in Columbus, OH" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Columbus, OH</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/dallas" title="Find a Therapist in Dallas, TX" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Dallas, TX</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/co/denver" title="Find a Therapist in Denver, CO" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Denver, CO</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mi/detroit" title="Find a Therapist in Detroit, MI" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Detroit, MI</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/houston" title="Find a Therapist in Houston, TX" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Houston, TX</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/in/indianapolis" title="Find a Therapist in Indianapolis, IN" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Indianapolis, IN</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/fl/jacksonville" title="Find a Therapist in Jacksonville, FL" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Jacksonville, FL</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/nv/las-vegas" title="Find a Therapist in Las Vegas, NV" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Las Vegas, NV</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/los-angeles" title="Find a Therapist in Los Angeles, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Los Angeles, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ky/louisville" title="Find a Therapist in Louisville, KY" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Louisville, KY</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tn/memphis" title="Find a Therapist in Memphis, TN" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Memphis, TN</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/fl/miami" title="Find a Therapist in Miami, FL" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Miami, FL</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/wi/milwaukee" title="Find a Therapist in Milwaukee, WI" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Milwaukee, WI</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mn/minneapolis" title="Find a Therapist in Minneapolis, MN" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Minneapolis, MN</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tn/nashville" title="Find a Therapist in Nashville, TN" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Nashville, TN</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ny/new-york" title="Find a Therapist in New York, NY" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">New York, NY</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/oakland" title="Find a Therapist in Oakland, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Oakland, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ne/omaha" title="Find a Therapist in Omaha, NE" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Omaha, NE</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/pa/philadelphia" title="Find a Therapist in Philadelphia, PA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Philadelphia, PA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/az/phoenix" title="Find a Therapist in Phoenix, AZ" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Phoenix, AZ</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/pa/pittsburgh" title="Find a Therapist in Pittsburgh, PA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Pittsburgh, PA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/or/portland" title="Find a Therapist in Portland, OR" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Portland, OR</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/nc/raleigh" title="Find a Therapist in Raleigh, NC" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Raleigh, NC</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/sacramento" title="Find a Therapist in Sacramento, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Sacramento, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mo/saint-louis" title="Find a Therapist in Saint Louis, MO" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Saint Louis, MO</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/san-antonio" title="Find a Therapist in San Antonio, TX" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Antonio, TX</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-diego" title="Find a Therapist in San Diego, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Diego, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-francisco" title="Find a Therapist in San Francisco, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Francisco, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-jose" title="Find a Therapist in San Jose, CA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Jose, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/wa/seattle" title="Find a Therapist in Seattle, WA" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Seattle, WA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/az/tucson" title="Find a Therapist in Tucson, AZ" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Tucson, AZ</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dc/washington" title="Find a Therapist in Washington, DC" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Washington, DC</a></li> </ul> </div> <footer> <div class="find-therapist--footer"> <span class="find-therapist--footer-cta">Are you a Therapist?</span> <a href="https://join.psychologytoday.com/us/signup?src=WWWCIT" class="find-therapist--footer-link">Get Listed Today</a> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x600 d-none d-lg-block d-xl-block block" id="block-ad-reference-300x600-right2-www-site"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1390414551849-0" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (!window.ptAdSlots || window.ptAdSlots.length === 0) { window.ptAdSlots = []; } window.ptAdSlots.push('div-gpt-ad-1390414551849-0') </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> </aside> </div> </main> <footer role="contentinfo" class="footer"> <div> <div id="block-footerblock" class="block"> <section class="footer--section-first footer--section"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer--social-media d-flex"> <div class="main-nav--logo logo logo-en"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us" title="Psychology Today">Psychology Today</a> </div> <div class="footer--social-media--links d-flex"> <div class="footer--social-media--links--icon"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/psychologytoday" title="Psychology Today on Facebook"> <img width="30" height="29" loading="lazy" class="svg" alt="Facebook" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/theme-assets/logo/logo-facebook.svg"> </a> </div> <div class="footer--social-media--links--icon"> <a href="https://twitter.com/psychtoday" title="Psychology Today on Twitter"> <img width="30" height="29" loading="lazy" class="svg" alt="Twitter" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/theme-assets/logo/logo-twitter.svg"> </a> </div> <div class="footer--social-media--links--icon"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/psych_today/" title="Psychology Today on Instagram"> <img width="30" height="30" loading="lazy" class="svg" alt="Instagram" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/theme-assets/logo/logo-instagram.svg"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="footer--section-second footer--section"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer--navigation d-flex"> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="js-view-dom-id-1613e06ee4780b7853bfc3ef0feefea6802826ad85fc0112ddc13cb5dbf36474 magazine-footer-block"> <div class="h2 magazine-footer-block__title">Recent Issues</div> <div class="magazine-footer-block__container"> <div class="magazine-row"> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2025/01" title="January 2025"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-12/2025-01.png.jpg?itok=m79gU9iw" width="384" height="504" alt="January 2025 magazine cover" title="The New Grown-Up" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/11" title="November 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-10/2024-11.png.jpg?itok=MK2t-Nce" width="384" height="504" alt="November 2024 magazine cover" title="Ditch Perfection & Rebalance Your Life" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/09" title="September 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-08/2024-09.png.jpg?itok=f_Oawcrq" width="384" height="504" alt="September 2024 magazine cover" title="Diagnosed in Adulthood" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/07" title="July 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-06/2024-07.png.jpg?itok=pCeLoQbs" width="384" height="504" alt="July 2024 magazine cover" title="Stand Up For Yourself" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/05" title="May 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-04/2024-05.png.jpg?itok=3uPTD2oA" width="384" height="504" alt="May 2024 magazine cover" title="Everyday Triggers" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><div class="magazine-issue magazine-issue--magazine-cover"> <div class="magazine-cover__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2024/03" title="March 2024"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-02/2024-03.png.jpg?itok=UyoZyp1R" width="384" height="504" alt="March 2024 magazine cover" title="Emotional Intelligence" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="https://subscribe.psychologytoday.com" class="btn btn-info btn-md-cta" title="Subscribe to Psychology Today Magazine">Subscribe Today</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer--navigation d-flex"> <ul class="list-style-none list-inline"> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="/us/docs/about-psychology-today" hreflang="en-us" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5000407">About</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="/us/docs/editorial-process" hreflang="en-us" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5000410">Editorial Process</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="https://docs.psychologytoday.com/contentweb/privacy-policy/en/latest" hreflang="en-us">Privacy</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="https://docs.psychologytoday.com/contentweb/terms/en/latest" hreflang="en-us">Terms</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold"> <a href="/us/docs/accessibility" hreflang="en-us" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5000099">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="copy-opacity-70 font-weight-semi-bold pt-footer-consent-link"> <a href="javascript:revisitCkyConsent();">Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information</a> </li> </ul> <div class="country--flag-name"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/country-selector?domain=content&cc=us&cl=en"> <img loading="lazy" width="29" height="20" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/flags/flag-lg-us.svg" alt="United States" /> <span class="copy-opacity-70">United States</span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="footer--copyright d-flex"> <p class="copy-opacity-70">Psychology Today © 2025 Sussex Publishers, LLC</p> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <div id="mobile-menu-container"> <div id="block-mobilenavtoplevelmenu" class="block"> <div class="sidebar sidebar-main" data-sidebar-location="main"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar__logo"> <div class="h1 logo logo-en"><a href="/us">Psychology Today</a></div> </div> </div> <ul class="sidenav"> <li> <a href="/us"> Home </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-sidebar-target="find-a-therapist"> Find a Therapist </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-sidebar-target="get-help"> Get Help </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-sidebar-target="magazine"> Magazine </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-sidebar-target="today"> Today </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="sidebar" data-sidebar-location="find-a-therapist"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar-title">Find a Therapist</div> </div> <div id="block-countrymobilenavigationfindtherapistblock" class="block"> <div> <ul> <li class="menu-list-category"><span>Get Help</span></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" title="Find a Therapist">Find a Therapist</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/treatment-rehab" title="Find a Treatment Center">Find a Treatment Center</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists" title="Find a Psychiatrist">Find a Psychiatrist</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups" title="Find a Support Group">Find a Support Group</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?category=online-counseling" title="Find Online Therapy">Find Online Therapy</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li class="menu-list-category"><span>Members</span></li> <li><a href="https://member.psychologytoday.com/us/login" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_TopNav_TherapistLogIn">Login</a></li> <li><a href="https://join.psychologytoday.com/us/signup" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" data-event-label="PT_TopNav_SignupN">Sign Up</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li class="menu-list-category"> <span> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists"> United States </a> </span> </li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/austin" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Austin, TX" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Austin, TX</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ny/brooklyn" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Brooklyn, NY" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Brooklyn, NY</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/il/chicago" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Chicago, IL" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Chicago, IL</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/co/denver" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Denver, CO" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Denver, CO</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tx/houston" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Houston, TX" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Houston, TX</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/los-angeles" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Los Angeles, CA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Los Angeles, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ny/new-york" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in New York, NY" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">New York, NY</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/or/portland" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Portland, OR" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Portland, OR</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-diego" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in San Diego, CA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Diego, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/san-francisco" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in San Francisco, CA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">San Francisco, CA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/wa/seattle" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Seattle, WA" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Seattle, WA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dc/washington" title="Find a Weight Loss Therapist in Washington, DC" data-event-label="PT_TopNavF_Therapist1" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Washington, DC</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar" data-sidebar-location="get-help"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar-title">Get Help</div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-mental-health-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Mental Health</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/addiction" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/50109">Addiction</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/anxiety" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41827">Anxiety</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/adhd" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41094">ADHD</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/aspergers-syndrome" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41798">Asperger's</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/autism" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/40997">Autism</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/bipolar-disorder" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41105">Bipolar Disorder</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/chronic-pain" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53685">Chronic Pain</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/depression" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/40725">Depression</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/eating-disorders" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41459">Eating Disorders</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-personality-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Personality</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/passive-aggression" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53837">Passive Aggression</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/personality" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53843">Personality</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/shyness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53941">Shyness</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-personal-growth-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Personal Growth</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/motivation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53823">Goal Setting</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/happiness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53757">Happiness</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/positive-psychology" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53862">Positive Psychology</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/smoking" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53954">Stopping Smoking</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-relationships-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Relationships</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/low-sexual-desire" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/69085">Low Sexual Desire</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/relationships" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53894">Relationships</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/sex" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53931">Sex</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-basicslinkmenublock-family-life-mobile"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Family Life</div> <div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/child-development" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53683">Child Development</a></li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/parenting" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53833">Parenting</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="block-gethelpbasicsindexblock" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title basics-link-title__view-help-index"><a href="/us/basics" class="right-chevron-after">View Help Index</a></div> </div> <div id="block-gethelpindexlinksblock-2" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Do I Need Help?</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/us/tests" title="Self Tests" hreflang="en-us"> Self Tests <div class="result-tag">NEW</div> </a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/us/basics/therapy" title="Therapy Center" hreflang="en-us">Therapy Center</a> </li> </ul> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Recently Diagnosed?</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/us/conditions" title="Diagnosis Dictionary" hreflang="en-us"> Diagnosis Dictionary </a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="/us/types-of-therapy" title="Types of Therapy" hreflang="en-us"> Types of Therapy </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="block-countrymenufindlinksblock-2" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Talk to Someone</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" title="Find a Therapist">Find a Therapist</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/treatment-rehab" title="Find a Treatment Center">Find a Treatment Center</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists" title="Find a Psychiatrist">Find a Psychiatrist</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups" title="Find a Support Group">Find a Support Group</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?category=online-counseling" title="Find Online Therapy">Find Online Therapy</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar" data-sidebar-location="magazine"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar-title">Magazine</div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-magazine-block-3"> <div> <div class="js-view-dom-id-f2a60684c659951b1034d06bda71f3f2354b6ec2c903a14527a52283690c3a89 sidebar__content"> <div> <div class="magazine-issue magazine-cover-feature"> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__cover magazine-thumbnail"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2025/01" title="January 2025"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-12/2025-01.png.jpg?itok=m79gU9iw" width="384" height="504" alt="January 2025 magazine cover" title="The New Grown-Up" /> </a> </div> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__text"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/magazine/archive/2025/01" title="January 2025"> <div class="h3 magazine-cover-feature__date"> January 2025 </div> <div class="h3 magazine-cover-feature__headline"> What It Means to Be an Adult Today </div> </a> <div class="magazine-cover-feature__highlight"><p> There’s been a fundamental shift in how we define adulthood—and at what pace it occurs. PT’s authors consider how a once iron-clad construct is now up for grabs—and what it means for young people’s mental health today. </p></div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="https://subscribe.psychologytoday.com" class="btn btn-info btn-md-cta" title="Subscribe to Psychology Today Magazine">Subscribe</a> <a href="/us/magazine/archive" class="btn btn-secondary btn-md-cta" title="Psychology Today Issue Archive">Issue Archive</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar" data-sidebar-location="today"> <div class="sidebar__header"> <a class="sidebar-back-arrow" data-sidebar-parent="main">Back</a> <div class="sidebar-title">Today</div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-news-today-menu-block-1-2"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">News</div> <div class="news-today-menu-block-1-content"></div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block" id="block-views-block-menu-blog-entry-essentials-block-1-2"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Essential Reads</div> <div class="menu-blog-entry-essentials-block-1-content"></div> </div> <div id="block-menutrendingtopics-2" class="block"> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title">Trending Topics</div> <ul class="list-style-none main-nav--basics-links"> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/emotional-intelligence" hreflang="en-us" title="Emotional Intelligence">Emotional Intelligence</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/narcissism" hreflang="en-us" title="Narcissism">Narcissism</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/gaslighting" hreflang="en-us" title="Gaslighting">Gaslighting</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/bias" hreflang="en-us" title="Bias">Bias</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/affective-forecasting" hreflang="en-us" title="Affective Forecasting">Affective Forecasting</a> </li> <li class="main-nav--basics-link"><a href="/us/basics/neuroscience" hreflang="en-us" title="Neuroscience">Neuroscience</a> </li> </ul> <div class="h3 main-nav--basics-link-title main-nav--basics-index-link"><a href="/us/basics" class="right-chevron-after">See All</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"us\/","currentPath":"node\/72552","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en","currentQuery":{"_wrapper_format":"html"}},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"dataLayer":{"defaultLang":"en","languages":{"en":{"id":"en","name":"English","direction":"ltr","weight":0},"es":{"id":"es","name":"espa\u00f1ol","direction":"ltr","weight":1},"fr":{"id":"fr","name":"French","direction":"ltr","weight":2}}},"ptAd":{"slotPlacement":{"slots":{"300x600_Right2_www_site":{"name":"300x600_Right2_www_site","path":"\/1032688\/300x600_Right2_www_site_Ad_Slot","opt_div":"div-gpt-ad-1390414551849-0","show_ad_text":true,"ad_text":"advertisement","size":[[300,600]],"device_sizes":["large","extra_large"],"ad_theme_type":"pt_ad","display_small":"","display_medium":"","display_large":"1","display_extra_large":"1"},"300x_Right_www":{"name":"300x_Right_www","path":"\/1032688\/300x*_Right_www","opt_div":"div-gpt-ad-1391201642419-0","show_ad_text":true,"ad_text":"advertisement","size":[[300,250],[300,600]],"device_sizes":["large","extra_large"],"ad_theme_type":"pt_ad","display_small":"","display_medium":"","display_large":"1","display_extra_large":"1"},"300x250_Mobile_Content1":{"name":"300x250_Mobile_Content1","path":"\/1032688\/300x250_Mobile_Content1","opt_div":"div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9","show_ad_text":true,"ad_text":"article continues after advertisement","size":[[300,250]],"device_sizes":["small","medium"],"ad_theme_type":"pt_ad","display_small":"1","display_medium":"1","display_large":"","display_extra_large":""}},"targets":{"targeting":{"HealthCat":[],"OtherCat":["404617"],"SpecialCat":["basics"],"PageNid":["72552"],"BlogNid":[],"NodeType":["reference"]}},"exclusions":[]}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"23947b320de460510777bfb9a99db9b38de7a83e17637daaf9357117fc61a0ae"}}</script> <script src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/js/js_ohqVYrscoNiKcFgFJ1FBdKunxz-lw557CTbv0H5XGzw.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=pt&include=eJw9jFEOwyAMQy80lCNVBjKKmhEW0krcfqUf-3u27JfhEEw2irzjqmrj1X2LomXj5jbpxnQE9Hr3VEQjJAyfUltZjaCVE4VDUj0qrzMyle6hmyYej84z5WqcXG0GnK5JP13Y15w8h8GwtK_wxvc2iaCPx9VwRRj96QeFN0Pq"></script> <script src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js" defer></script> <script src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/modules/custom/pt_ad/js/gpt-process.js?v=2.x" defer></script> <script src="https://resources.psychologytoday.com/directory/search-components/v1.0.14/search-suggestions.min.js" type="text/javascript" defer="true"></script> <script src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/js/js_MYvkuAzm4K6BGgLrS23GKHKMaqBbIxnpbeBSzTk4AS8.js?scope=footer&delta=4&language=en&theme=pt&include=eJw9jFEOwyAMQy80lCNVBjKKmhEW0krcfqUf-3u27JfhEEw2irzjqmrj1X2LomXj5jbpxnQE9Hr3VEQjJAyfUltZjaCVE4VDUj0qrzMyle6hmyYej84z5WqcXG0GnK5JP13Y15w8h8GwtK_wxvc2iaCPx9VwRRj96QeFN0Pq"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Empathy | Psychology Today