Understanding how to show empathy is a lot like understanding expressions. [See ‘How can I learn to read people’s expressions and body language?’]
Empathy is not easy for anyone because understanding how others are feeling means looking at more than just facial expressions. Other things to think about are body language and how people are speaking.
Sometimes empathy can just be saying the right word at the right time to show you understand how someone might be feeling.
A good way to learn how to show empathy is to practice. And a good way to practice is to ‘role play’ with someone you trust – a good friend or family member.
If you have access to a digital camera and a computer you can make little films to practice. Or you could record TV soaps (e.g. Eastenders or Coronation Street) or other TV programmes and go through them with someone to look at examples.
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The NAS has some good ideas to help you develop your understanding: