We Listen is a newly formed community hub for therapists, healers, and mental health professionals. It is focused on supporting trainees and early career helpers.
Currently, we are in the community-building phase, and our primary activity is hosting a group practice called
Empathy Circles
Empathy Circles are a 90 minute group practice that offers at least two kinds of benefit:
A non-judgemental playground to learn and practice relational skills relating to active listening, empathic reflection, and compassionate presence. These skills translate train, rejuvenate, and reinforce the interpersonal skills that clinicians and healers rely on.
A container to practice speaking about what is most alive for you and to explore the experience being fully heard and understood by a witness. Explore and enjoy the opportunity to freely express yourself while being heard and supported by others.
Empathy Circles are easy to learn, and anyone can do it! You do not need to prepare or do anything in advance. Instructions are given at the beginning of each circle.
When you come to an Empathy Circle hosted by We Listen, you can expect it to follow this format:
Introductions and brief check in (5-10 minutes)
Empathy Circle instructions, prompt, and a short time for individual reflection on the prompt (5-10 minutes)
Empathy Circle practice (60-75 minutes)
Check outs and closing (5-10 minutes)
You don't need to read the instructions in advance, but if you're curious, here are the steps for an Empathy Circle:
During each turn, there are 3 role: Speaker, Active Listener, and Silent Listener.
Each turn begins with the Speaker, who must first selects a person to be their Active Listener
The Speaker the speaks about whatever is alive for them in the moment while a timer tracks the length of their turn
After sharing one or two thoughts, or every 30-45 seconds, the Speaker will pause so that the Active Listener can reflect what they have heard.
Reflections can include: Exact restatements of what was said, summing up the essence of what has been shared, or naming emotional or psychological themes of what has been said
Reflections can NOT include: Judgements or evaluations (positive or negative), questions, validation, or personal sharing
These should all be saved for when the Active Listener becomes the Speaker - When you're the active listener, stick to just reflecting!
If the Speaker feels heard, they can say “yes, that’s right” or “ I feel heard”, or simply continue speaking
If no, they should make corrections or name what was missed/misunderstood etc.
Each Speaker’s turn ends with a successful reflection. If they are speaking when the timer goes off, they should conclude their idea, then the Active Listener will reflect the final thought. When the Speaker is heard to their satisfaction, then their turn is complete
The purpose of each turn is for the Speaker to feel heard to their satisfaction
Once the Speaker’s turn ends, their Active Listener becomes the Speaker and they pick their Active Listener
Meanwhile, those in the group who are not speaking or reflecting are Silent Listeners
They are actively listening and observing the process between Speaker and Active Listener