Instead of: "Yes, I completely understand your list of what needs to be done, can be overwhelming. "
Try: "Wow, your list of what needs to be done, sounds like it can be overwhelming."
Instead of: " i understand your feelings, for wanting to run away... sometimes I feel like that too? "
Try:"Maybe I understand your feelings some, sometimes I feel like that too"
You don't "completely understand" because you are not him, his feelings are unique to him and his experience...I made this mistake with W in the beginning...
An extreme example would be if a male were to tell you he "completely understands" your PMS symptoms, would you feel validated? How could he know how you feel? What COULD he say that would validate you?
With W the stand-by "I'm sorry you feel that way", "Wow, that must be difficult", etc are what works...Hope this helps some. T^2
In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. - Albert Camus
Uncertainty is the very condition which impels people to unfold their powers.-Eric Fromm
