| Summary: | Empathy has long been considered critical to good social work practice, and is supported by extensive research and literature. However, empathy is a contested concept
with divergent theoretical origins that complicates its place in social work research and
practice. This article provides a historical review of empathy, highlighting the evolution
of the concept of empathy, its contested history, and subsequent emergence into
therapeutic contexts, particularly within social work. Findings show that empathy has
multiple definitions and meanings, thus, creating a challenge to research efforts and
social work activities. This review lays the groundwork for further constructive debate
and research into the theory and practice of empathy for social work.
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