Listening to the Patient

Despite rapid advances in our understanding of the brain, listening remains the critical skill for the effective practice of clinical psychiatry. Indeed, we are even beginning to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of effective empathy and listening. This chapter describes this unique process of clinical listening and empathy, emphasizing potential impediments, attention to words and their subtle meanings, and the importance of theoretical perspectives in effective listening. Attention is paid to different linguistic effects, cultural variations, and a variety of special circumstances.