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"
}
]