empathic distress

Empathy, a dial not an on-off switch

Empathy tip: Empathy is a dial, not an on-off switch

By Lou Agosta on December 10, 2019

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6nngUdemxAnCd2B2wfw6Q6 People treat empathy as if it were an “on-off” switch. Turn it “on” for friends and family; turn it “off” for the “bad guys”. Turn empathy “on” for coworkers, customers, and insiders; turn empathy “off” for… Read More ›

Compassion Fatigue: Less compassion, expanded empathy?

Compassion fatigue: A radical proposal to overcome it

By Lou Agosta on November 17, 2019

One of the criticisms of empathy is that is leaves you vulnerable to compassion fatigue. The helping professions are notoriously exposed to burn out and empathic distress. Well-intentioned helpers end up as emotional basket cases. There is truth to it,… Read More ›