WalkXR-AI / src / walkxr_ai / agents / resources / empathetic_reflection_lexicon.py
empathetic_reflection_lexicon.py
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EMPATHETIC_PHRASES = [
    # === Validation ===
    {
        "category": "validation",
        "pattern": "That makes sense—you’ve been through a lot.",
        "notes": "Acknowledges user’s struggle and validates emotional experience. Source: Deeper Conversations, p.5"
    },
    {
        "category": "validation",
        "pattern": "It's okay to feel that way.",
        "notes": "Normalizes emotional response to reduce internal judgment. Source: Motivational Interviewing"
    },

    # === Emotion Reflection ===
    {
        "category": "emotion_reflection",
        "pattern": "It sounds like you're feeling [emotion] about [situation].",
        "notes": "Reflects the speaker's feelings using empathetic paraphrasing. Source: Deeper Conversations, p.3"
    },
    {
        "category": "emotion_reflection",
        "pattern": "You seem really [emotion] as you talk about that.",
        "notes": "Gently mirrors observed emotion to foster emotional awareness. Source: Carl Rogers, active listening"
    },
    {
        "category": "emotion_reflection",
        "pattern": "It sounds like you're feeling [emotion] — what do you think is behind that?",
        "notes": "Reflects emotion while encouraging deeper insight. Source: Motivational Interviewing"
    },
    {
        "category": "emotion_reflection",
        "pattern": "You mentioned feeling [emotion] — would you like to say more about that?",
        "notes": "Invites elaboration with emotional safety. Source: Carl Rogers, reflective listening"
    },
    {
        "category": "emotion_reflection",
        "pattern": "That sounds really important to you. What’s coming up for you as you talk about it?",
        "notes": "Acknowledges emotional salience and opens reflective space. Source: Deeper Conversations, p.9"
    },

    # === Mirroring + Open ===
    {
        "category": "mirroring + open",
        "pattern": "When you said '[user_quote]', it really stood out. Can you tell me more about what that meant for you?",
        "notes": "Echoes the user’s own words and invites deeper meaning-making. Source: Narrative Therapy techniques"
    },

    # === Validation + Expansion ===
    {
        "category": "validation + expansion",
        "pattern": "That makes total sense given what you’ve shared — how are you holding it now?",
        "notes": "Validates and gently bridges to present awareness. Source: Somatic-based coaching methods"
    },

    # === Supportive Closing ===
    {
        "category": "supportive_closing",
        "pattern": "Thanks for sharing that. That took courage.",
        "notes": "Acknowledges emotional risk-taking, encouraging trust. Source: Empathic Listening Techniques"
    },
    {
        "category": "supportive_closing",
        "pattern": "I appreciate you opening up about that.",
        "notes": "Expresses gratitude for vulnerability and affirms the speaker’s agency. Source: Motivational Interviewing, Miller & Rollnick"
    }
]

REFLECTIVE_QUESTIONS = [
    # === Open-Ended Questions ===
    {
        "category": "open_ended",
        "pattern": "What was that like for you?",
        "notes": "Encourages elaboration of internal experience. Source: Deeper Conversations, p.7"
    },
    {
        "category": "open_ended",
        "pattern": "Can you tell me more about that moment?",
        "notes": "Promotes deeper narrative recall. Source: Fast Friends protocol, Aron et al."
    },
    {
        "category": "open_ended",
        "pattern": "What did you need most in that moment?",
        "notes": "Supports emotional clarity and self-compassion. Source: Empathic Design, IDEO"
    },

    # === Gentle Probes ===
    {
        "category": "gentle_probe",
        "pattern": "What do you think made that feel so important?",
        "notes": "Gently guides toward meaning-making. Source: Deeper Conversations"
    },
    {
        "category": "gentle_probe",
        "pattern": "Is there something that part of you still wishes for?",
        "notes": "Encourages exploration of unmet needs. Source: Nonviolent Communication"
    },
    {
        "category": "gentle_probe",
        "pattern": "How do you think that shaped you?",
        "notes": "Promotes reflection on personal growth or impact. Source: Coaching Psychology"
    }
]