What Is an Empath, Exactly?

"Empath" is the word on everyone's lips, and chances are you've heard of at least one person on social media, a family member, or an acquaintance who identifies with the term. While you probably have some concept of what it means to be an empath — it's most letters of the word "empathy," after all — you might have noticed that there seem to be many perspectives on the word's exact definition. So, what is an empath then? Is there some kind of an empath test to tell if you fit the bill? If you're interested in finding out more in hopes of learning more about yourself or those around you, listen up.

Essentially, empaths are good at being present when you need them. “Empaths are naturally giving, intuitive, caring, and good listeners,” explains Dr. Orloff. “Through thick and thin, they’re there for you.” You may have heard of active empathetic listening, a technique that combines active listening and empathy that’s often utilized by salespeople. It involves recognizing all verbal and nonverbal cues, processing the info, and responding, and people who have mastered the skill tend to be better leaders, according to Harvard Business Review.

Importantly, "empaths can deeply feel all that is positive, wholesome, and healthy in others and the world," adds Dr. Orloff. "They are loving friends and spouses and want to help others." So, while the weight of emotions they feel may be heavy, if you know an empath, you can see they are also special in so many ways.

The key to preventing these strengths from becoming challenges if you identify as an empath is to prioritize yourself when necessary, even if your instinct is to put others' needs first. "Not every situation or relationship in your life requires or deserves your full empathetic attention," points out Kim. "Check in with yourself to see if a situation or relationship is a place where you would like to focus your empathetic energy, so that you can make sure to lean in when it matters to you."