[Therapist self-disclosure in cognitive-behavioral therapy]

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychotherapy

Background:

• Evolving patient expectations and the changing physician-patient relationship necessitate a re-evaluation of therapist self-disclosure.
• Contemporary patients are more informed and seek to understand their therapists' experiences.
• The American Psychological Association's Ethics Code (APA, 2002) implies careful consideration of self-disclosure, moving away from automatic non-disclosure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the concept, use, and functions of therapist self-disclosure.
• To trace the historical evolution of therapist self-disclosure across major therapeutic orientations.
• To propose a framework for safe and effective therapist self-disclosure based on research and patient experiences.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of therapist self-disclosure across psychoanalytic, client-centered, and systemic therapies.
• Analysis of therapist self-disclosure within Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
• Inclusion of patient experiences and perspectives on therapist disclosures.

Main Results:

• Therapist self-disclosure has benefits but also risks when improperly used.
• Non-disclosure is no longer a universally safe or effective default in therapy.
• Patient perspectives highlight both positive and negative impacts of therapist self-disclosure.

Conclusions:

• Therapists must carefully consider the 'if, what, when, why, to whom, and how' of self-disclosure.
• Guidelines are needed to help therapists navigate self-disclosure ethically and effectively.
• The study aims to provide a framework to minimize risks and maximize benefits of therapist self-disclosure.