Therapeutic self-disclosure with borderline patients

The therapeutic use of countertransference disclosure as a means of highlighting the borderline patient's intrapsychic and interpersonal use of the therapist is discussed.Countertransference disclosure is narrowly defined as a form of clinical honesty that focuses on the therapist's experience of the patient in the here-and-now moment of the session. The effects of disclosure on transference exploration, neutrality, and patient revelations are explored through examination of detailed process notes of therapy sessions.Technical issues such as indirect versus direct disclosure and responses to direct questions are also addressed.