Body to body dialogue: Empathy and psychotherapy

Journal title PSICOTERAPIA E SCIENZE UMANE
Author/s Vittorio Gallese, Ugo Morelli
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2026/1
Language Italian Pages 4 P. 119-122 File size 227 KB
DOI 10.3280/PU2026-001009
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The progressive affirmation of the bodily-relational paradigm arouses resistance. That the mind is relational, embodied and situated; that empathy is prelinguistic and pre-intentional; that the observer is within the observed system – these are consolidated insights based on experimental evidence. Building on these insights, empathy in the therapeutic relationship shows how the relationship between epistemology and practice is redefined, seeking the conditions for a practice based on the ongoing pursuit of engagement and detachment, proposing one of the most advanced perspectives to consider.

Keywords: Empathy; Embodied simulation; We-centered space; Therapeutic relationship; Psychotherapy

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Vittorio Gallese, Ugo Morelli, Body to body dialogue: empatia e psicoterapia in "PSICOTERAPIA E SCIENZE UMANE" 1/2026, pp 119-122, DOI: 10.3280/PU2026-001009