On the Genius of Empathy

Empathy is so much more than feeling deeply—it holds transformative power to heal ourselves, strengthen our relationships, and amplify our purpose. Psychiatrist and bestselling author Judith Orloff, known for landmark works including The Empath’s Survival Guide, presents empathy as a daily healing practice and a form of emotional intelligence. It is not only for highly sensitive people but for all deep feelers and those who want to develop empathy as a new skill.

Drawing on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and energy medicine, Dr. Orloff’s newest book, The Genius of Empathy, shows us how to access our sensitivities, soothe our nervous systems, and stop absorbing the emotions of others. She begins with the magic of empathy to find greater self-love and healing—including from trauma. Subsequent lessons apply empathy to our relationships, communities, and the world. Through Dr. Orloff’s practices, learn the art of empathic listening, how to stop overthinking, and the importance of setting healthy boundaries and loving detachment to prevent overwhelm, burnout, and more.

Join Dr. Orloff in a conversation about her work and her latest book with empath, spiritual seeker, and intuitive healer Laura Rowe. Through their conversation, learn to ignite empathy as a superpower for transformative personal healing, deeper relationships, and more potent work in the world. 
 

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Judith Orloff, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist, a member of the UCLA Psychiatric Clinical Faculty and a New York Times bestselling author. She’s a leading voice in the fields of medicine, psychiatry, empathy, and intuitive development.

Dr. Orloff’s books include The Empath’s Survival Guide, Thriving as an Empath, Emotional Freedom, Positive Energy, and Second Sight.

Her work has been featured on CNN, NPR, Talks at Google, TEDx, and the American Psychiatric Association. She has also appeared in USA Today; O, The Oprah Magazine; Scientific American; and The New England Journal of Medicine.

She specializes in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice.

Her new book is Genius of Empathy: Practical Skills to Heal Your Sensitive Self, Your Relationships, and the World (Sounds True, April 9. 2024).

For more inspiration and to learn about Dr. Orloff’s Empath Support Community on Facebook and visit Dr. Orloff’s website.
 

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Laura Rowe is an empath, spiritual seeker, and intuitive healer working with empaths, helping them feel comfortable in their skin and connected in this world.  

The organization, The Vital Spirit, was founded in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, United States. Laura has worked with hundreds of clients from all over the country, and the world. She regularly teaches her signature class, Tools for Thriving as an Empath, as well as doing talks and holding groups on being an empath and living a spiritual life.

Laura’s professional background is in business operations holding a BA in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management. It was in this environment that she honed her natural talent in systems thinking. Today, this skill allows her to quickly identify patterns in behavior and energy that have informed Laura’s study of empaths, the struggles they face, and develop a methodology to help them find balance.

She has invested over 35 years exploring spiritual traditions and practices. And close to 20 years training and working in intuitive energy healing modalities, with certificates in reiki and Theta Healing. For eight of those years, Laura worked with a mentor, Linda Kardos, who was a pioneer in intuitive energy healing.

Laura approaches her work through a social justice lens, seeking to help empaths explore their own power while considering the power dynamics of our White Supremacist, Patriarchal, Fourth Stage Capitalist society. Our culture views sensitivity as a weakness and her work focuses on helping empaths heal the wounds left by this world; reframing their sensitivity and focusing on their innate power. 
 

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Learn more about Dr. Orloff's book:
The Genius of Empathy Practical Skills to Heal Your Sensitive Self, Your Relationships, and the World

Empathy is so much more than feeling deeply–it holds transformative power to heal ourselves, strengthen our relationships, and amplify our purpose. Dr. Judith Orloff, known for landmark works like The Empath’s Survival Guide, introduces empathy as a daily healing practice and form of emotional intelligence. It is not only for highly sensitive people but for all deep feelers and those who want to develop empathy as a new skill.

Through inspiring real-life stories and relatable examples, the book illustrates the life-changing potential of empathy, showing readers how it can create a positive ripple effect in their lives and communities.

We are grateful to our Bookstore Partner

Marcus Books is the nation’s oldest Black-owned independent bookstore celebrating its 60th year. Marcus Books’ mission is to provide opportunities for Black folks and their allies to celebrate and learn about Black people everywhere. Learn more about Marcus Books.

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