How does empathetic listening differ from simply saying "I know exactly how you feel"?

Empathetic listening involves fully engaging with another person's emotions and understanding their feelings without assuming that you completely know their experience. By acknowledging that no one can truly know another's feelings, empathetic listening fosters a space for genuine connection and validation. It recognizes individual experiences and perspectives as unique, which encourages the speaker to share openly and feel heard.

This approach differs significantly from simply saying "I know exactly how you feel," which can inadvertently minimize the speaker's feelings and experiences. Such a statement suggests that one person's feelings can be fully understood or equated with another's, overlooking the complexity of individual emotional experiences. Thus, empathetic listening ultimately promotes a deeper relational bond and supports the individual in feeling understood and supported during their struggles.