The present study compared the frequency of empathic verbalization among 16 therapists allocated into four groups according to their theoretical orientation: Centered in the person, Gestalt therapy, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, and Lacanian Therapy. Each therapist interviewed the same client who presented the same complaint. Interview contents were evaluated by three independent judges and by the client herself. According to judges' evaluations, centered in the person showed a significantly higher frequency of empathic verbalization compared to gestalt therapy and Lacanian Therapy, but not significantly higher than Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. However, based on the client's evaluations, the frequency of empathic verbalization of gestalt therapy was significantly higher than those three other approaches. In addition, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy frequency was higher than centered in the person and Lacanian Therapy. Results confirm the there is a weak relationship between empathy perceived by the therapist and client's perception mentioned in the literature. Some limitations of this study are pointed out.
empathy; therapeutic empathy; therapeutic relationship
