Therapist self-disclosure and the problem of shared-decision making

Area of Science:

• Psychotherapy
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Practice

Background:

• Therapist self-disclosure is a historically debated practice in psychotherapy.
• The nature of the psychotherapist-patient interaction is central to these discussions.
• Shared-decision making offers a new framework for the expert-patient relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the connection between therapist self-disclosure and shared-decision making.
• To use therapist self-disclosure as a case study for shared-decision making.
• To highlight principles and practical issues within shared-decision making.

Main Methods:

• Literature review
• Conceptual analysis
• Case illustration

Main Results:

• Therapist self-disclosure presents complex dynamics within shared-decision making.
• The application of shared-decision making requires careful consideration of therapist transparency.
• Potential challenges include boundary issues and impact on therapeutic alliance.

Conclusions:

• Shared-decision making offers a valuable framework for navigating therapist self-disclosure.
• Understanding the interplay between self-disclosure and shared decision-making is crucial for effective psychotherapy.
• Further research is needed to refine guidelines for ethical and effective practice.