Empathy is often held as the cornerstone of therapeutic healing—the agent through which understanding, transformation, and relational repair are made possible. Therapists are trained and expected to offer accurate empathic reflection, insightful interpretation, and helpful transactions. Yet beneath this well-meaning imperative lies a complex and often unspoken truth.
This workshop explores the tyranny of empathy: the oppressive expectation that therapists must always offer empathy—regardless of whether it has been invited, or wether permission to ‘be empathic’ has been established. Drawing on the word “tyranny,” which refers to cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control, we interrogate what happens when empathy is imposed rather than negotiated.
Together, we will examine:
- The deeply human longing to be seen, recognised, and accepted.
- The often-overlooked agony of being seen accurately—a visceral terror that can accompany exposure and vulnerability in therapy.
- How therapeutic empathy, when offered without permission or awareness of its impact, may intrude or overwhelm.
- The critical role of consent in empathic engagement.
This session invites practitioners to reflect on the ethical and relational tensions at the heart of our profession: when is empathy healing, and when might it harm? How can we make space for the discomfort of being seen, and support our clients in navigating that terrain on their own terms?
Course Content
Organisation
This learning is avaibale in Onlinevents FREE Student Hub. Access Curated Content From Onlinevents ProfessionalDevelopment Library to Support Your Training & Professional Growth
Presenter
I am a co-founder and Director at Onlinevents, dedicated to democratising learning in the helping professions. We host the world’s first and largest video learning library akin to “Netflix” for these professions.
Additionally, I serve as a Director at Temenos Education and lead the Counselling & Psychotherapy Programme. Our focus is on nurturing students to become their most potent selves, both personally and professionally.
With over 20 years of experience, I currently manage a private practice as a Psychotherapist and Supervisor, offering services through video, text chat, and virtual environments.
I also facilitate groups and am involved in the Going Global and La Jolla programmes, rooted in Carl Rogers’ Encounter Group movement.
I am a past Chair and now an Honorary Fellow at the Association for Counselling & Therapy Online (ACTO). I have served on the board of the World Association for Person Centered & Experiential Psychotherapy & Counselling for 6 years.
I have 30 years experience as a psychotherapist in private practise, 20 years working as a tutor and Director of a Psychotherapy Training Institute, 11 years as a senior counsellor for NHS staff and 8 years in University Student Counselling.
I often work with people who find therapy daunting or even think it could be impossible. Often in responsible roles, maybe creating change in their environment, yet unable to effect satisfying or profound changes in themselves and their own lives.
My job is to see what blocks and inhibits you. The process of us being together offers opportunity for new ways to think and live.
I offer Counselling & Psychotherapy both long and short term and I work face to face in Sheffield and online for people across the UK.
For 20 years I have been providing Supervision & Reflective Practise for other professionals including counsellors and psychotherapist, NHS staff, School Leaders, Business and Executive Coaches and anyone wanting to explore, expand and take care of themselves personally and professionally.
