Somatic Empathy
Many of us occasionally feel what others are feeling as if it were happening to us; perceiving their headache, hip pain or sadness as if it were our own. It is a relatively common experience for therapists but scientists are only now beginning to unpack how and why this happens.
Called somatic counter-transferance by psychotherapists, it is known as interpersonal physiology by social neuroscientists. Somatic empathy turns out to be an essential aspect of social intelligence which we share with many other species. Because it happens to everyone (but mostly beneath our awareness) it has an important influence on everyone’s health and well-being.
In my mission to dispel myths and misunderstandings around this experience I have created four information streams explaining the psycho-biology of how and why our mind and body coordinate with others beneath our awareness.
“Somatic Empathy = experiencing what other people feel while being aware that this vicarious state is produced by someone else.”
1. A short online course Somatic Empathy (an overview) describes what is known about somatic empathy but with the scientific language and academic references taken out—a fascinating and informative few hours of your time. Mainly video presentations, a bit of reading, and downloadable infographics, this explanation of somatic empathy is aimed at anyone interested in how we feel what others feel Only £10!
“5 ***** Clear, approachable and fascinating course!
Dr Engel provides a very clear, concise and easy to understand explanation of the basics of somatic empathy, especially for someone without a scientific background! ”
2. An ebook alternative to the short online course, this is yours to download. Your investment of £5 includes a year’s access to regular updates as research progresses.
NEW eBOOK only £5.00 Somatic Empathy; An Overview (for non-specialists).
3. An online course designed for anyone working in a therapeutic environment | SOMATIC EMPATHY EXPLAINED | This comprehensive course is designed for therapists, bodyworkers, and practitioners. Somatic Empathy Explained presents the latest scientific understandings (biology, psychology, neurology—even a bit of physics) behind our ability to feel what others are feeling. By understanding the mechanisms of how this happens, you can better help your clients. You will learn how to protect yourself from potential harm and optimize your ability to feel how your client feels. Packed with videos, presentation talks, downloadable infographics, text readings, live zoom sessions with me, and discussion forums, this course is long (taking students 4-8 weeks to complete and then going back over it). What you will get is a comprehensive grasp of somatic empathy from the perspective of a biologist. There is no rush; you have access to the course materials and tutor feedback for as long as the course exists.
Lifetime access to all research updates, only £149.
4. Somatic Empathy (BOOK, in press)
Before the evolution of language, we understood others by simulating how they felt. Somatic empathy is a form of interpersonal physiology which remains active in modern humans. That headache you are feeling might not be yours; your dog’s anxiety might be. Social neuroscientists are excitedly exploring how this works unpacking important processes of self- and co-regulation.
Somatic empathy is not about being nice; it’s about survival.
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Articles on Somatic Empathy
Engel, C (2021) Feeling What Our Clients Feel, International Therapist (spring digital issue).
Engel, C (2019) Somatic empathy—the science (part 2) The Shiatsu Society Journal, winter, 152.
Engel, C (2018) Somatic Empathy in Bodywork: the science (part 1) The Shiatsu Society Journal , winter, 148, pp 5-9.
