The basic rule of thumb is that
therapists should not be getting their own needs met by self-disclosing to clients
. … Beyond providing basic information about training or experience, it is rarely a good idea for a therapist to self-disclose early in treatment.
Should a therapist self-disclose?
When used sparingly, professionally and appropriately, counselor self-disclosure can
build trust
, foster empathy and strengthen the therapeutic alliance between counselor and client. However, counselor self-disclosure also holds the potential to derail progress and take focus off of the client.
Should a therapist self disclosure?
When used sparingly, professionally and appropriately, counselor self-disclosure can
build trust
, foster empathy and strengthen the therapeutic alliance between counselor and client. However, counselor self-disclosure also holds the potential to derail progress and take focus off of the client.
What you should never tell your therapist?
- “I feel like I'm talking too much.” Remember, this hour or two hours of time with your therapist is your time and your space. …
- “I'm the worst. …
- “I'm sorry for my emotions.” …
- “I always just talk about myself.” …
- “I can't believe I told you that!” …
- “Therapy won't work for me.”
Why is self-disclosure bad in counseling?
The Risks of Using Self-Disclosure
Excessive personal sharing by a counselor
may be seen by the client as self-serving. It may convey disinterest in the client's issues and, thus, may be damaging to the counseling relationship. … Too much counselor self-disclosure can blur the boundaries in the professional relationship.
What is inappropriate self-disclosure?
Inappropriate self-disclosures are those that are done primarily for the benefit of the therapist, clinically counter-indicated,
burdens the client with unnecessary information
or creates a role reversal where a client, inappropriately, takes care of the therapist.
What can a therapist disclose?
Therapists are required by law to disclose information
to protect a client
or a specific individual identified by the client from “serious and foreseeable harm.” That can include specific threats, disclosure of child abuse where a child is still in danger, or concerns about elder abuse.
Do therapists talk about their clients in therapy?
So yes,
we as therapists do talk about our clients
(clinically) and we do miss our clients because we have entered into this field because we remain hopeful for others. I pray that other therapists go into the mental health field because they want to help people become the best versions of themselves that they can be.
Why do therapists talk about themselves?
Freud proposed that the more a therapist presents themselves as a “blank slate” in session, the easier it is for
clients to transfer their conflicted feelings about their caregivers onto the clinician
—which they can then further explore, said Ryan Howes, Ph. D, a psychologist in Pasadena, Calif.
Do therapists talk about their clients with other therapists?
Generally,
a professional therapist will severely limit how much they talk about their clients to others
. Some will only do it with other professionals, for the sole purpose of getting a second opinion or some advice on how to better help you.
Do therapists fall in love with clients?
Of the 585 psychologists who responded,
87%
(95% of the men and 76% of the women) reported having been sexually attracted to their clients, at least on occasion. … More men than women gave “physical attractiveness” as the reason for the attraction, while more women therapists felt attracted to “successful” clients.
Do therapists give up on clients?
It makes sense, then, that patients who don't feel felt might cut things off. The reverse, however, is also true:
Sometimes therapists break up with their patients
. You may not consider this when you first step into a therapist's office, but our goal is to stop seeing you.
Can you tell your therapist illegal things?
Meaning, a therapist is permitted (but not required) to break
confidentiality
if he or she believes someone is in imminent harm from a client/patient. … Aside from these exemptions anything you tell your therapist, including illegal drug use (a common question), is strictly confidential.
What are the disadvantages of self-disclosure?
Some disadvantages of applying self-disclosure include:
moving focus from the client, taking too much counselling time
(and thus reducing client disclosure), creating role confusion (who is helping who?), possibly trivialising the client's issue by implying everyone goes through it, and interfering with transference.
What are risks of self-disclosure?
Risks of Self-Disclosure
One risk is
that the person will not respond favourably to the information
. Self-disclosure does not automatically lead to favourable impressions. Another risk is that the other person will gain power in the relationship because of the information they possess.
Is self-disclosure unethical?
It
is unethical and exploitative to use
self- disclosure to satisfy the therapist's need rather than an appropriate and well-considered treatment intervention. Clients reported several significant impacts from their therapist's helpful self-disclosures.
