Accentuate the Positive: Reflections on Empathic Interpersonal Interactions

I address you today with joyful gratitude for this fantastic honor. Thank you! For almost half a century, I have practiced occupational therapy with a focus on brain injury. During the past year, I have reflected on my career and the defining characteristics that have shaped my practice and my life. Upon reflection, I have concluded that positive, empathic interpersonal interactions have been one of the most important factors in my personal and professional development. Empathy is one of the basic ingredients responsible for changes that occur during intervention. There is evidence in the occupational therapy literature that supports the need for further training in and understanding of this important process. In this lecture, I will provide a brief review of empathic interactions as they relate to occupational therapy, discuss interdisciplinary knowledge from positive psychology and social neuroscience that can enhance our understanding and use of these interactions, and offer...