| Many researchers view empathy as th core ingredient, and values as the central dimension of therapeutic relationships. Counselors' ability to discern clients' value orientations served as the empathy index for examining implications of Maslow's theory. Recent advances in instrumentation permit investigation of the importance of safety and esteem needs in relation to empathic skills. Acknowledging the complexity and importance of empathy, needs, and values, these major constructs were logically examined within existing theory and research in counseling and human development.; It was hypothesized that development beyond safety needs in the conative (needs) hierarchy is necessary for accurate empathy. Effects of counselors' education, experience, gender, and number of counseling sessions were also investigated.; Forty counselors and therapists participated by completing the Needsort, Esteem Scale, (addressing Maslow's hierarchy) and the Value Orientations Questionnaire (VOQ) based on Kluckhohn's value theory. Sixty-six clients completed the VOQ. Counselor empathy was derived from comparison of client scores with scores of counselors who completed the VOQ "as their clients would".; Multiple regression supported number of counseling sessions, counselors' education, and esteem needs as a significant equation (p < .01) for predicting accurate empathy. Although counselors' relevant work experience was associated with empathy and education, it was not a useful predictor when considered in conjunction with other variables.; With increased numbers of sessions, counselors functioning at higher conative levels in Maslow's hierarchy (esteem needs) exhibited greater empathic accuracy. This became apparent in importance of esteem needs, as opposed to clarity of safety needs. Most counselors were apparently functioning beyond safety needs. Safety needs were significantly (p < .01) correlated with female counselor participants, the majority of whom comprised the lowest educational levels. Counselors' gender, however, was not a significant predictor of empahtic accuracy.; Doctoral level education and practical experience with clients apparently foster greater feelings of security for counselors. In resolving safety needs, counselors progress to higher conative levels which permit development of empathic accuracy. Further research on these important constructs with these recently developed instruments is highly recommended. |
