Calling this a “powerful phrase,” as Arizona-based
licensed therapist Alexa Bailey, MSW, LCSW  says that this statement is tailored to a moment when someone is
expressing a deeply personal experience that you don’t have a connection to. I
like all financial and legal professionals who have met with a client
overwhelmed by a financial or legal curve ball that was thrown at them. I let
them no that it was perfectly normal to be overwhelmed but I would be there for
them Through listening and understanding the client and I usually solved their
problem together.

My challenge as a headshot photographer is to show the
world you are a listener and that your client can rely on you to be there for them.

Schedule a Headshot session and I promise that I am there
with you. Together we will get that message to all that now and will get to
know you professionally.

You’re
on the right track! That statement is a good start for showing empathy to a
client. Here are some ways to build on that and truly relate to them:

Active
Listening:

• Focus on
  understanding: Give your client your full attention. Make eye
  contact and avoid distractions. Pay close attention to both their words
  and nonverbal cues.
• Ask clarifying
  questions: Don’t make assumptions. Ask open-ended questions to
  get a deeper understanding of their situation and feelings.

Acknowledge
their feelings:

• Validate their
  emotions: Let them know their feelings are normal and
  understandable in this situation. You can say things like “That
  sounds frustrating,” or “It’s understandable to feel
  overwhelmed.”

Show
you care, but avoid empty platitudes:

• Avoid generic
  statements like “Everything happens for a reason.”
  These can feel dismissive.
• Focus on offering
  support: Let them know you’re there for them.

Tailor
your approach to the client:

• Consider their
  personality: Some may want to vent and share their story, while
  others might prefer to jump straight to solutions.
• Read the room: Adjust your
  communication style based on their cues.

Here
are some examples of what you can say to build rapport and show you relate:

• “I can see how
  difficult this situation must be for you.”
• “It sounds like
  you’ve been through a lot. Tell me more about it.”
• “Many people I
  work with face similar challenges. How can I best support you?”

Remember,
you don’t need to have a personal experience exactly like theirs to relate. By
following these tips, you can show you genuinely care and want to understand
their situation.

Image:
A Warm Hand on a Shoulder

Description: The
image depicts a cozy coffee shop setting. A young woman (client) sits across
from a therapist (you) at a small table. The woman has her head down, shoulders
slumped, and a tear rolling down her cheek. The therapist’s hand rests gently
on the client’s shoulder, offering a silent gesture of comfort and support. The
cafe has warm lighting, soft colors, and a cup of coffee on the table –
creating a calming atmosphere.

Short
Story: Sarah’s Story

Sarah
nervously tapped her pen on the table. This was her third therapist, and she
wasn’t sure if anyone could understand the pressure she felt. She was the first
in her family to go to college, and the weight of expectation was heavy.

“I
know a lot of people don’t get it,” Sarah mumbled, looking down.
“They think it should be exciting, but all I feel is stressed.”

The
therapist, a kind woman with gentle eyes, leaned forward slightly. Her hand
came to rest on Sarah’s shoulder, a silent gesture of understanding.

“It’s
perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed,” she said softly. “Starting
college is a big change, and it’s okay to not feel excited all the time. Tell
me more about what worries you.”

Sarah,
surprised by the gentle touch and understanding words, lifted her head. For the
first time, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this therapist would be
different. Maybe she could finally share the burden she carried.

Why
this works:

• The image conveys
  empathy through body language (the comforting hand) and the setting (warm
  and inviting).
• The story shows a
  client in a similar situation (feeling pressure and overwhelmed) but
  highlights the therapist’s approach (active listening, validation of
  feelings).
• It emphasizes
  offering support and creating a safe space for the client to share.