Empathy in counseling can best be described as:

Empathy in counseling is fundamentally about the capacity to understand and communicate the feelings and experiences of another person. This involves not just recognizing the emotions that the client is going through, but also being able to articulate those feelings back to the client in a way that shows validation and understanding.

This aligns with the practice of counseling, where establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship is essential. By perceiving and communicating the client’s experience, the counselor helps the client feel seen and heard, which can foster a deeper connection and facilitate the therapeutic process.

Sharing similar experiences with clients may lead to a false sense of connection or detract from the client's unique experience. It might not always be beneficial and can sometimes shift the focus away from the client. Avoiding emotional involvement is not the essence of empathy, as empathy requires emotional engagement to genuinely connect with the client's feelings. Lastly, assisting clients solely with professional advice can neglect the emotional and relational aspects that are crucial in therapy; counseling is not just about providing solutions but also about understanding the client's subjective reality.