Empathic Responses and the Use of Silence

Summary

This video showcases a counseling session focused on empathic responses and the use of silence. Joe, a young individual, opens up about his strained relationship with his mother, feeling neglected as she prioritizes a new relationship. He also expresses sadness and resentment towards his father, who has a new family and has distanced himself. Throughout the conversation, the counselor listens actively, reflecting Joe's feelings of abandonment and longing for connection. Joe's emotional vulnerability is revealed, highlighting his need for support and his struggle with acceptance of both parental relationships.

Takeaways

• 😀 The client, Joe, feels disconnected from his mom due to her new relationship with Tom, which causes her to be absent frequently.
• 😀 Joe expresses frustration that his mom has become more focused on her new relationship and less available to him.
• 😀 Joe feels neglected by his mom, as they used to have a closer bond where they would talk and share meals together.
• 😀 Joe is worried that his mom no longer prioritizes him, making him feel lonely and abandoned.
• 😀 Joe is upset that his mom has become so angry with him, especially regarding the past conviction, but is not around enough to understand his side of things.
• 😀 Joe acknowledges that his mom has the right to have a relationship but wishes she would also prioritize him more.
• 😀 Joe feels vulnerable because he doesn't know where he stands with his mom and is scared that he doesn't matter to her as much as before.
• 😀 Joe still cares deeply for his mom, despite their strained relationship, and hopes to remain a significant part of her life.
• 😀 Joe's relationship with his father is distant, as he feels like a stranger in his father's life, especially since his father has a new family.
• 😀 Joe expresses sadness over his father's lack of involvement in his life, feeling that his father has abandoned him emotionally.
• 😀 Joe has resigned himself to accepting a superficial relationship with his father, acknowledging that it is unlikely to improve after all this time.

Q & A

What is Joe's current relationship with his mom?

Joe feels neglected by his mom. While they used to have a better relationship, with meals and conversations, Joe now feels more alone as his mom is often absent due to her new relationship. He is frustrated that his mom is not prioritizing him anymore.

Why is Joe frustrated with his mom's behavior?

Joe is frustrated because his mom's new relationship has led to her being frequently absent, and she is not involved in his life as much as she used to be. He feels neglected and abandoned, especially since his dad is also absent.

How does Joe feel about his mom's relationship with Tom?

Joe feels conflicted. While he understands that his mom deserves to be happy, he feels that her relationship with Tom has caused her to neglect him. He is hurt by the fact that she spends more time with Tom than with him.

How does Joe view his relationship with his father?

Joe feels disconnected from his father. He describes his relationship with him as superficial, seeing him more as an occasional acquaintance rather than a father. Joe is disappointed that his father has prioritized his new family over him.

Why does Joe not blame his dad for having a new family?

Joe acknowledges that his father was young when they divorced, and he doesn't blame him for finding a new relationship or starting a new family. However, Joe is hurt by the fact that his father has seemingly abandoned him in the process.

How does Joe feel about being neglected by both his parents?

Joe feels deeply hurt and alone. His father's absence and his mother's neglect have left him feeling vulnerable and unimportant. He wishes his parents would prioritize him more, especially since he feels they are all he has left.

What impact does Joe's situation have on his self-esteem?

Joe's situation contributes to his low self-esteem. He feels like he doesn't matter to his parents, and this abandonment has made him feel less worthy of their attention and care.

What is Joe's emotional response to his mom's anger over his conviction?

Joe is confused and frustrated by his mom's anger over his conviction. While he understands her anger, he feels that her reaction is disproportionate, especially since she isn't around to fully understand the situation.

How does Joe cope with his feelings of loneliness?

Joe seems to cope by leaning on his friends, as they are the only source of support he has outside of his strained relationship with his parents. He also appears to have resigned himself to the idea that he must handle things on his own.

What does Joe want from his mom?

Joe wants his mom to care about his life and to be present for him. He wishes for a more balanced relationship where his needs and emotions are acknowledged, and where he doesn't feel neglected or abandoned.