02/13/2019                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            What makes Empa-Tea and Empath*ology different from counseling and licensed clinical social work (LCSW)?
It seems like a general rule of counseling, is not to counsel a friend, family member, or relative. 
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At Empa-Tea, we allow Empathizers to empathize with their friends, and to get paid to do so.
Why? 
Empa-Tea is a service; a form of entertainment that can bring relaxation and understanding. We will never diagnose you, and we do not treat mental illness. We do not bill insurance, and we do not claim any form of professionalism.
So why would I pay my friend to Empathize with me?
It can be hard for a friend to actually Empathize with you. Studies show that venting is typically not effective. Often, people feel more stressed after venting than before! The way we have been educated to listen to one another makes it nearly impossible to actually help our friends, even when we want to help so badly.
Empathizers work hard to develop a language that serves life and grows understanding. Because not everyone is going to invest the time and resources into becoming an Empathizer, those who choose not to devote their life to learning the language might find it helpful to receive empathy from a trained friend.
Think of it like music. If you wanted to hear some good music, you could theoretically go anywhere. Just as anyone can empathize, anyone can play music. But if you really want to have a great time, you might go to  and see  (pictured far right) playing amazing trumpet. You might pay Josh for this experience by purchasing a ticket, buying a shirt, CD, etc.
The same thing happens here at Empa-Tea. We provide you with an entertaining experience, experienced Empathizers, and a service free from professionalism. We hope that your Empa-Tea experience allows you to actually enjoy your time venting to a friend. 
Even better, when a friend empathizes with you, they are able to actually help meet your needs if that is something that would also meet their needs.
If you ever need to vent, you can reach out to whomever you like. If you want to try a more effective way of venting, reach out to an Empathizer you know 😊