i think visualization has something to do with it, when you visualize food you feel hungry and when you visualize your performance in a sport you perform better, i think watching images or seeing a video is the same as visualization

You have given me a different perspective of the psychologist as a whole in the most positive of ways~That is beyond genuine.

All humans are hardwired for empathy except for Satoshi Kanazawa. He just knows everything already.

Thank you!
I saw a therapist for 6 months who was unemotional/unreactive while I was speaking, and it was kind of creepy : )Maybe it was for the purpose of me not feeling judged in any way or to not lead me in one direction or another or who knows.. But sometimes I felt like he would put on some kind of mask during our sessions, and I guess it didn't feel all that genuine. I mean, he did help me and all. But people who show no emotions or don't seem to feel just aren't as interesting to me. If so I would befriend my computer : )

I think the challange can be displaying empathy vs. sympathy. In my graduate work in counseling, this was always a large issue when practicing therapy technique. It would be unprofessional to completely breakdown when a client tells you a painful story, however, most therapits are sensitive by nature and often show deep emotion when relating to thier clients. I try my best to truly empathize with my clients, however, working with abused teens it is essential I don't give off a sense of feeling sorry for them, as this may undermine thier resilence and human capability while jeopordizing the equality of our therapeutic relationship. After much practice, I am better able to feel compassion towards the plight of others, without feeling sorry for them. When my own therapist teared up at a story I told him, I was touched by this and felt close. If he had lost it completely, I likely would have felt worse as if he had taken my personal pain and made it his own. People need to own thier own feelings and have others simply try to understand them in a genuine way. This leads to internal control and the confidence to manage individual emotions.

I have created a website entitled "Empathy Lessons" which explains what is required to have empathy for others. It includes Imagination, Listening, Sensitivity, Honesty, and Appreciation. It is something that really needs to be cultivated.