The Influence of Compassion Meditation on the Psychotherapist’s Empathy and Clinical Practice: A Phenomenological Analysis

Psychotherapists who already practiced mindfulness meditation reported that additional compassion meditation training further enhanced their empathy and clinical work. Three therapists completed a 4-week compassion meditation program and were interviewed before, after, and one month later. Analysis revealed four areas of perceived influence: their relationship with themselves, their experience of empathy, the therapeutic relationship, and integrating change. Participants also noted challenges with the practices. The findings support including compassion meditation in psychotherapy training and burnout prevention.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mindfulness and compassion meditation practices have repeatedly been shown to have a positive impact on empathy and prosocial behavior. This study examines the perceived influence of compassion meditation on the psychotherapist’s empathy and clinical practice, beyond benefits already gained from a practice of mindfulness meditation. Three psychotherapists, who had already been practicing regular mindfulness meditation, engaged in compassion meditation training over a 4-week period. Repeated semistructured interviews were conducted before and after the 4-week period, as well as 1 month later. Phenomenological analysis of the interview data showed a perceived influence of compassion meditation on four main aspects labelled as follows: (a) The therapist’s relation to self, (b) Experiencing empathy, (c) Living a therapeutic relationship, and (d) Integrating change. Challenges and other stumbling blocks on these practices on compassion were also addressed by participants. These findings provide evidence for the inclusion of compassion meditation training in psychotherapy training curricula, as well as in burnout-prevention workshops.