The "empathy" in question is that of the therapist for the parents of the adolescent in treatment, as well as empathy or lack of it in communication between adolescents and their parents as they traverse the difficult period of mutual separation. If the therapist focuses with the adolescent patient only on issues of freedom and independence and neglects to deal also with the need to reach toward empathy with and acceptance of parents as people, the patient is shortchanged. In remembering the developmental needs of the parents, the therapist of their adolescent child may also be in the position to guide them toward help they may need in mastering this phase of psychological development in themselves.