when you get triggered hearing a client's story

[Alice Leibowitz]

I was on a call recently where I ended up in the role of giving
empathy to someone I didn't know and whose personality I found rather
annoying. Once he started talking about what was up for him, I had a
reaction of disgust and shock hearing the content of his jackals.
Needless to say, the "empathy" I tried to give him was not very
helpful.

When I realized I was having trouble staying present, I had a sense
that I should probably self-express and/or ask for space, but I felt
awkward doing that with a stranger. I ended up feeling trapped and
embarrassed and hoping he wouldn't remember my name.

Have others been in a similar situation? Have you found successful
ways of dealing with it?

Thanks,

-Alice