Self-Disclosure

What is self-disclosure? Self-disclosure is a process of communication in which one person reveals information to another. It can be used in many ways, but in this instance, we will be talking specifically about self-disclosure with therapy practices and mental health professionals.  Types of self-disclosure  Accidental - unplanned encounters outside of the counseling session  Unavoidable - client revelations about a therapist through obvious distinguishing characteristics like someone’s race, jewelry, and haircut.  Client-initiated - when a client seeks and finds information about their counselor online, through biographies, awards, family history, etc.  Deliberate - purposeful self-disclosure with a client  Benefits  Builds rapport with clients  Reduce client’s uneasy feeling of sharing by counselor sharing  Conveys empathy to clients and shows them they’re not alone  Can “humanize” the counselor to clients  Risks  Shift...