Some years ago, I had a very wise psychologist explain the difference between sympathy and empathy, especially amongst people with mental illnesses.

Sympathy = the observer jumps into the hole with the person having a bad time.

Empathy = the observer putting down a ladder or a rope to the person having a bad time.

With both, the observer understand and can feel the bad/sad feelings. There is compassion in both. But if you jump into the hole (sympathy) then both the sufferer and the observer are stuck IN the hole. When you give empathy, you don't jump into the hole with the sufferer but you promote ways to get them out of the hole.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that's what Dr Clay said in different words.

Did I make myself clear? LOL