Date of Award

8-24-2024

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D.

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Judith E. Fox

Second Advisor

Beth Peters

Third Advisor

Lorraine Hart

Keywords

Therapist self-disclosure, Children and adolescent psychology, Guide

Abstract

Therapist self-disclosure is a multifaceted aspect of psychotherapy that holds significant implications for therapeutic rapport, alliance, and client outcomes. The use of self-disclosure by therapists in working with children and adolescents has received little attention in the literature. This paper examines the theoretical underpinnings and therapeutic rationale behind therapist self-disclosure, highlighting its potential benefits and risks in the context of child and adolescent therapy. It delves into developmental considerations, exploring different factors that may influence the appropriateness and effectiveness of self-disclosure interventions. Building upon this foundation, the paper offers a practical guide to assist clinicians in judiciously incorporating self-disclosure into their therapeutic practice with young clients. This includes considerations for timing, content, and purpose of disclosures, as well as ethical and cultural factors that shape the therapeutic process. Furthermore, the guide addresses common challenges and concerns that clinicians may encounter when navigating self-disclosure with children and adolescents, such as boundary setting and addressing client reactions and responses. By synthesizing theoretical insights with practical guidance, this paper aims to empower clinicians to harness the potential of therapist self-disclosure as a valuable tool for fostering connection, trust, and therapeutic progress in their work with children and adolescents. Ultimately, it advocates for a thoughtful and client-centered approach to self-disclosure that prioritizes the unique needs and developmental considerations of young clients.

Copyright Date

7-1-2024

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Katia Goga

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

33 pgs

File Size

1.1 MB

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