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from Ms. Schmidt: therapist self disclosure

Posted by Dr. Bob on February 23, 2004, at 8:47:54

In reply to Erika Schmidt, LCSW - therapist self disclosure, posted by Dinah on February 22, 2004, at 9:17:34

The thoughtful comments and questions about therapist self-disclosure, answering questions, and maintaining boundaries raise a number of important issues. Since there are no right or wrong answers regarding these matters, let me respond by offering some guidelines for thinking about the issues. First, therapists reveal much information about themselves in the way they do things, their style, the manner in which they respond and handle things, what they choose to say and not to say, even things like office decor. Much of this is done without deliberate intent, but does become a way through which people can learn much about their therapists.

Second, the primary guiding principle for whatever a therapist does, says, doesn't do, and doesn't say should be the creation of therapeutic environment for the client which promotes a feeling of safety for the kind of self-revelation by the client which makes therapy possible. What is done in the therapy should be in the service of the client's growth and development. This principle should guide the therapist's decisions about deliberate disclosure or response to questions as well.

Third, the rationale for not answering questions or for not providing certain kinds of information is to provide freedom for the client to express themselves openly without worrying about the therapist's feelings or investment in particular matters. If in doubt, less is probably more in these situations.

Fourth, answering questions or providing certain kinds of information, while it may appear to be a kind of honesty or openness, can be quite deceptive: it may avoid more difficult matters, it may close off certain avenues of conversation, it may distract both people from the work at hand, it may be an easy way out.

Fifth, there are certainly times when disclosure or answering questions is an effective way of handling things, and can further the therapeutic work. It depends, and can only make sense in the context of a particular therapist-client relationship.

Sixth, exploring the questions themselves, the reasons they arise, what they mean for the client, may be a more useful response than direct answers and can often lead to surprising learning. Whether the therapist offers information or doesn't, what is most important to understand is what the meaning is to the client. This kind of exploration of personal meaning is what therapy can really offer to someone.

There is much more that could be said on this topic, but this is a start.

Erika Schmidt, LCSW


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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040218/msgs/316798.html