What is a compassionate witness? A companionate witness is “someone who can respond to your stories or struggle with empathy.” Empathy is about feeling with someone.

"This is about telling someone your experience so you can sort out your feelings.  It's about someone bearing witness to your struggle.  About being seen and heard in your pain."  - Andrea Owen, How to Stop Feeling Like Shit.

However, be reminded, a compassionate witness IS NOT A COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT, or a dumping ground. Be cautious of this. It is one thing to seek out a safe place for help, it is another to take advantage of someone else and place all your problems upon them time after time and expect them to just constantly be your pissing post. Knowing how to be a conscious complainer, as Andrea calls it, is important. It is also important to remember this is about telling someone your experience as you can be seen and heard in your pain. This IS NOT about trying to get someone else to instantly solve your problems.

Are you a compassionate witness?  Have you ever had a compassionate witness?  Do you think it is important to have one?  Let me know!  I want to hear from you!

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