This study was designed to determine whether a training program which focuses primarily on interpersonal relationships, communication and observation skills, and knowledge and understanding of both one's own behavior and that of others would increase the empathetic ability of psychiatric aides. Two studies were conducted. A pilot study was done to develop the training program; a follow-up study was done for further evaluation and documentation of the program. At the conclusion of the training program, significant changes were observed in the empathetic level of those aides in the experimental group while the control group increased only slightly over the project period. The control group's improvement may have been due to interaction on the hospital wards with the experimental group. Although the increased empathy of the experimental group appeared to be more than temporary, the average ratings on empathy still did not reach the minimum facilitating level identified by Carkhuff. References are included. (Author/SES)