Self Disclosure and confidentiality
» Definitions and Categories- The process by which the counselor reveals
information about him or herself to the client. Self –disclosure promotes
interaction between therapist and client that hopefully results in
therapeutic progress.
» Theoretical Perspectives
 Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Theory- Freud advocated for
therapists as a “blank screen” who were to reflect clients’
projections rather than disclose anything personal. Therapist selfdisclosure was viewed as a distraction drawing the focus away
from the client and to the therapist.
 Humanistic Theory- asserts that self-disclosure demonstrates
therapists’ genuineness and positive regard for clients by allowing
the therapist to interact with the client naturally and authentically.
Clients are able to view therapists as “real people”
 Behavioral/Cognitive-Behavioral Theories- accepting for
therapist’s self-disclosure when used to strengthen the therapeutic
relationship and effect client change. Beck viewed therapist selfdisclosure as a way to role model, teach problem-solving skills,
and enlighten clients about the ways others may be seeing their
actions.
 Feminist Theories- since their inception, feminist theorists have
supported the use of self-disclosure as an intervention that can
facilitate growth, equalize power within the therapeutic
relationship, decrease shame, encourage empowerment, and build a
solid relationship between therapist and client.
 Multicultural Theories- advocate the use of self-disclosure as a
way to build rapport and can earn trust, particularly with clients
from cultural backgrounds and lifestyles different from that of the
therapist.
Most types of therapies endorse the use of therapist self-disclosure when done
with purpose and intention.
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Types of Self-Disclosure
 Disclosure of facts- where the therapist was trained, professional
experience
 Disclosures of feelings- therapist’s emotions in specific situations
 Disclosures of insights- sharing an experience similar to the
client’s and describing what the therapist learned from it
 Disclosure of strategies- explanation of a technique the therapist
has found helpful
 Disclosures of reassurance/support- therapist reveals that he/she
felt similar to the client
 Disclosures of challenge- therapist shares experience of a struggle
similar to clients’ issue
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Disclosures of immediacy- therapist makes a statement of his/her
feelings toward the client in –the- moment
Reasons for self-disclosure/non-disclosure- reasons for using Selfdisclosure are a are a desire to increase the perceived similarity between
therapist and client, model appropriate behavior for the client, foster a
therapeutic alliance, validate or normalize clients’ experiences, offer
alternative ways to think or act, and appease the client. Therapist selfdisclosure promotes client self-disclosure. Therapists avoid selfdisclosure if the self-disclosure would result in any of the following: fulfill
the therapist’s needs, move the focus from the client to the therapist,
interfere with the client’s flow of material, burden or confuse the client,
intrude on the client, blur boundaries, overestimate the client, or
contaminate the transference.
Self-Disclosure in therapy with Children- has the capacity to strengthen
the therapeutic bond, facilitate engagement in therapy, and encourage selfdisclosure on the part of the child client. When a therapist self-discloses
to a child, the child is more likely to engage in meaningful play, explore
emotions, change negative self-judgments, remain open to therapy, and
(with adolescents) increase the capacity for self-observation. Keep note:
the content of a therapist’s self-disclosure is not as important to a child as
is the therapist’s willingness to open up in to the child that is conveyed
through self disclosure.
Therapist Self-Disclosure Training-with respect to the effects of therapist
self-disclosure training, therapists use of self disclosure as an intervention
1. Participants variantly indicated increased thoughtfulness
about the therapist self-disclosure
2. participants variantly discussed using less therapist selfdisclusre and/or associating negative feelings with therapist
self disclusrare
3. Participants variantly responded that training made them
more comfortable using therapist self-disclure.
4. Participats attributed their use of therapist self-diclusre to
development rather than specific training
General Views of Therapist Self-Disclosure- Counselors look at disclure
clustered into two areas 1. Their use of therapist self-diclosure and 2. the
effects of such use. Using self-disclosure carefully and with appropriate
intantions. Think through the ramifications of using self-discloure, such
as how it can change the relationship. Refrain from using self- disclosure
to build the relationship early into sessions.
Frequency of Therapist Self-Disclosure- three categories are used to
describe frequency 1. frequent use- at least once a session, 2. moderately
frequent- approximately once a week to several times a week and 3.
infrequent use- once or twice a month.
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Factors Affecting Therapist Self Disclosure- Use less self-disclosure with
clients who demonstrate severe psychopathology (including Axis II
diagnosis and boundary issues). Client age/development is another factor
that can affect the use of self-disclosure, using more frequent with older
children/adolescents than with younger children.
Works Cited:
Felloney, R. A Qualitative Analysis of School-based Mental Health Professionals’
Views on the Use of Self-disclosure and Humor (2010), Psychology Dissertation. Paper
161 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Smith, J.J. Therapist Self-Disclosure with Adolescents: A Consensual Qualitative
Research Study (2009) Dissertation Paper 86 Marquette University