2022-01-04 - Simon Wharne

Simon Wharne

Simon Wharne is a Chartered Counseling Psychologist. Previously he completed a PhD using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, examining 'Decision Making in Mental Healthcare'. He recently wrote a paper titled, 'Empathy in phenomenological research: Employing Edith Stein's account of empathy as a practical and ethical guide'. In this dialogue we talk about his paper, Edith Stein's definition and view of empathy and the definition of empathy.


"Stein's account of empathy is built on an understanding of people in community with each other. Empathy in this understanding is a purposeful perceptive ability that we employ as we navigate our way into the future in cooperation with each other. Emotions are not viewed as static states, contained within an individual."

Empathy in phenomenological research: Employing Edith Stein's account of empathy as a practical and ethical guide

Simon Wharne

I offer Doctoral research supervision (secondary supervisor). I currently have some availability. I completed the DCPsych with the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, having previously gained a PhD while studying with the Open University. My Open University studies included a Masters in Psychological Research Methods, including quantitative methods, although I specialized in qualitative methods, mainly hermeneutic phenomenological analysis, also exploring discourse analysis.

I am currently employed as a Counselling Psychology in an NHS Community Mental Health Service for Older People. I have worked in community mental health services for thirty years, managing community teams for twenty years.