To Share or Not to Share: Self-Disclosure Best Practices for Mental Health Providers
Therapists are people too... so when (if ever) should we share that with our clients?
Course Overview
This vodcast style training dives into the dos and don'ts of self-disclosure in therapy. Learn about research on self-disclosure, different types of disclosure, and how to make ethically sound, clinically useful choices about when to speak up or stay silent.
This Course Is For You If…
- You are actively practicing and want to refine or rethink your use of self-disclosure in clinical work.
- You are an intern, student, or associate still shaping your professional identity and clinical decision-making.
- You want CEs that are clinically relevant and affirming.
- You train or supervise other clinicians and want to guide discussions around ethical, effective self-disclosure.
What You’ll Walk Away With
Dana M. Cea (she/they)
Prior to becoming a licensed mental health clinician, Dana was a Certified Peer Support Specialist. Self-disclosure is a key part of being a peer support specialist. During her masters program, Dana found that self-disclosure can be taboo for licensed mental health clinicians. Dana has continued to use self-disclosure as a key therapeutic method in their work. She hopes mental health clinicians can appreciate the benefits of using self-disclosure ethically.
“Together, we can make this field better for both clients and clinicians.”
Course Preview
Discover how modern ethical practices shape the counselor's approach to self-disclosure in clinical settings.
Course Description: Due to the influences of Sigmund Freud in the mental health field, counselor self-disclosure – including making facial expressions in session – has been considered detrimental to the therapeutic relationship and therapy services. However, over the past decade, research on counselor self-disclosure has indicated more benefits than drawbacks. There has also been a focus in the research on counselor self-disclosure best practices. While counselor self-disclosure is not directly addressed in the ACA Code of Ethics, there are several standards that can be applied to a counselor’s decision to share or not to share. What types of self-disclosure are there? What are some of the benefits to self-disclosure? And which ethical standards can help us guide our decisions to share or not to share?
Learning Objectives:
- Recall at least three types of counselor self-disclosure
- Understand around four benefits of counselor self-disclosure
- Apply about five ethical standards to using counselor self-disclosure
Choose the Best Option for You
CE Approval(s)
Let’s Build Ethical Confidence, Together
Ethical practice is a moving target... but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Learning how and when to use self-disclosure helps you grow as a clinician and build deeper, more authentic therapeutic relationships.
Enroll Now & Start Today