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Self-disclosure in psychotherapy.

Peter Barglow1

  • 1Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, Medical School, USA. peter@barglow.com

American Journal of Psychotherapy
|September 21, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Psychotherapist self-disclosure, prompted by a film, aided a surgeon's treatment for depression and medical errors. This boundary-crossing intervention helped resolve deep-seated issues and improve patient outcomes.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Psychotherapy
  • Psychoanalysis

Background:

  • A depressed surgeon repeatedly made serious medical errors when treating family members.
  • Initial psychoanalysis provided symptom relief, but depression and errors recurred years later.
  • The patient's recurrence was triggered by a near-fatal medical error involving his daughter.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the impact of psychotherapist self-disclosure on patient treatment.
  • To explore the benefits and risks of "boundary crossing" interventions in psychotherapy.
  • To understand the psychotherapeutic process for a patient with a history of medical errors.

Main Methods:

  • A five-year psychoanalysis followed by a three-year course of psychotherapy.
  • The therapist engaged in self-disclosure, influenced by the film "Gloomy Sunday".
  • Analysis focused on the patient's childhood, unconscious factors, and therapist's countertransference.

Main Results:

  • Resumed psychotherapy, facilitated by therapist self-disclosure, ameliorated the patient's tendency to make medical errors.
  • The therapeutic alliance was strengthened by cultural and professional similarities.
  • The intervention facilitated renewed investigation into the patient's psychopathology and therapist's countertransference.

Conclusions:

  • Psychotherapist self-disclosure can serve as a pivotal "boundary crossing" intervention.
  • This approach can deepen understanding of unconscious factors and countertransference.
  • The study contributes to the ongoing discussion on the benefits and risks of such therapeutic strategies.

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