The world feels heavy right now. From the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in places like Iran and Gaza, to political upheaval, rising climate anxiety, and deeply personal losses, many of us are moving through our days carrying grief, fear, anger, and exhaustion all at once.
At the same time, we are trying to stay connected to the people we care about. But how do we talk about what is happening without retreating, shutting down, or unintentionally causing harm?
As a Registered Psychotherapist, I often say that it is not just what we talk about that matters, but how we approach the conversation. That is where the CAA framework I created can help, especially when emotions are high, and clarity feels hard to access.
C – Check Your Intention
Before asking someone, “Are you okay?” or opening a conversation about current events, take a moment to pause and reflect:
- Am I checking in to truly understand, or am I looking for reassurance?
- Do I want to connect, or am I trying to fix something?
Let your intention come from care and curiosity rather than control. Presence does not mean having the right answers. It means being willing to sit beside someone in their truth.
A – Awareness
Be mindful of timing, context, and your relationship to the person you are speaking with.
- Are they directly affected by what is happening?
- Is now a supportive time to talk?
- Whose discomfort is being centred in this moment?
Awareness helps us stay grounded in empathy. It gives others the space to feel fully seen, without pressure or performance.
A – Acknowledge Risk
Conversations about global pain are not neutral. For many people, these topics are deeply personal and emotionally draining. Being asked to explain, defend, or relive their pain can feel like a burden, especially when they are simply trying to survive the emotional toll.
Instead, try saying something like:
“I imagine this might be hard to talk about. No pressure at all, but I’m here to listen if you ever want to share.”
Practicing empathic presence does not mean having the perfect words. Sometimes the most meaningful act is to hold space. We can choose to be there without trying to fix or minimize the weight of what someone is feeling.
The CAA framework is not a script. It is a mindset. It reminds us that empathy is not passive. It is an active and intentional practice. This approach helps us move from avoidance to attunement, and from isolation to connection, even when the world feels uncertain and overwhelming.
Let’s show up with gentleness, with listening, and with the courage to stay present, together. If you’re looking for a place to process what you’re carrying, connect with a therapist at CFIR where compassionate, trauma-informed care meets you exactly where you are.
Laura Moore, MPsy, is an integrative Registered Psychotherapist at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships (CFIR) in Toronto. She offers compassionate, trauma-informed support to individuals and couples navigating fertility journeys, relationship transitions, and emotional healing. Laura specializes in helping clients work through the complexities of intimacy, grief, infertility, infidelity, and reconnection. Her approach is grounded in empathy and collaboration, creating a safe space for clients to feel seen, understood, and supported as they move through life’s most vulnerable chapters.
