Difficulties in Empathic Reach in the Case of Angie

The case depicts a therapeutic relationship which explores empathy, its uses and its functions and its limitations.

The case describes my fifteen year therapeutic relationship with “Angie,” a patient vastly different from me in many ways. Having previously experienced the relationship as successful, in the context of the current LGBTQ movement and the Black Lives Matter protests, I examine the concept of empathy and its limitations as applies to my work with Angie. Although our similarities and ease of empathic attunement marked our relationship for many years, my awareness of our differences in race and sexuality ultimately and productively challenged my notions of the ways in which empathy serves the clinical process.

Learning Objectives: The conference is organized to facilitate maximum opportunity for questions, comments and dialogue between the audience and the presenters, allowing clinicians to engage in an extensive variety of topics relevant to the field of Self Psychology. At the conclusion of this conference, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe two ways in which empathy serves the clinical process.
2. Give one example demonstrating the limitations of an empathic stance when working with patients.
3. Explain the importance of appreciating the weight of culture as well as early family relationships in cultivating an empathic understanding of our patients’ experience.

This conference is intended for psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors and clinical professional counselors at all levels of experience.

For CE credit details, please see below or view the accompanying document CE Credit Details.

Continuing Education: This conference is presented by IAPSP and co-sponsored by the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy + Psychoanalysis (ICP+P).

Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of ICP+P and IAPSP. ICP+P is accredited by MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. ICP+P designates this educational activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists: ICP+P is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. ICP+P maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Social Workers: ICP+P is approved by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to offer Category I continuing education credit. As our CE program receives oversight from a licensed social worker, the CE credits we award are highly likely to be recognized by licensing boards in Virginia and the District of
Columbia This program is pending approval by the National Association of Social Workers for up to 5 continuing education contact hours. New York and Michigan do not accept National CE Approval Programs; New Jersey, Idaho, and Oregon do not recognize NASW National Approval. IAPSP is pending
approval for New York Social Work continuing education.

Nurses, MFTs, and Counselors: These continuing education credits meet the ANCC standards for nurses. Marriage and family therapists licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia may submit these CE credits to their licensing boards. (Marriage and family therapists in other jurisdictions and licensed counselors should inquire with their local Boards regarding continuing education credit.) Attendees from the above professional groups will earn 5 CE credits for attending the conference.

Full attendance is required to receive the designated CE credit

Continuing Education hours will be awarded for 5 hours based on confirmed attendance. Evaluation forms will be sent to all attendees post conference; after which continuing education credit will be sent.

Important Disclosure Information for all Learners: All presenters and planners of this activity have informed us that they do not have a conflict of interest and have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationship with any commercial interests pertaining to this educational activity. Additionally, the presenters have been instructed to disclose any limitations of data and unlabeled or investigational uses of products during this presentation. This presentation will not contain any references to off-label (non-FDA approved) use of products or devices.