The present study investigates the effects of a self-developed empathy training for the social professions. AsEmpathy is defined in varying ways in the current literature, an integrative definition is proposefd using theEmpathy Process Model (EPM}. According to this empathy can be seen as a process that incorporates aspects of both a stable personality trait and an ability, which can be trained and developed into practicalskills. The model also allows explaining dysfunctional empathic behavior such as the Empathic ShortCircuit (ESC}. The ESC is described as a communicative shortcut to escape an emotionally tense situation by disrupting the emotional interaction, leaving both involved with a diffuse dissatisfaction. lt is assumed that the accumulation of these reactions over time may reflect in psychosomatic and symptoms of emotional strain. To review one's own empathic actions the concept of Nonviolent Communication (NVC} by Rosenberg is suggested. The training program which is subsequently descDibed in its development and prior evaluativestudies builds on the NVC concept. The aim is to reflect one's empathic actions to avoid the ESC as well as to install alternative strategies to deal with intense emotional situations in the eceryday work context of thesocial professions.

An evaluation of the training program is presented assessing its acceptance and efficacy in nursingschools with a total of 448 participants in the longitudinal intervention-control-Group study. Significant changes could be achieved in strengthening several social and emotional competences as well as inreducing psychosomatic and symptoms of emotional strain. A higher acceptance for one's own emotions and a higher experienced agency, i.e., capacity to act in emotionally tense situations were among the majoreffects of the training. The NVC concept of balance between focusing of empathy for the other person andfocusing one's own emotional situation has been proven to be a useful strategy in reducing emotional strainand has been successfully implemented in the training program for the social professions. Further studies arenecessary, e.g., to analyze of the effectiveness of single training units in detail.