Self-Disclosure in Therapy

While some therapists share their own personal experiences through self-disclosure in therapy, also known as therapist self-disclosure, with their clients, others choose to share less about themselves.

This article discusses self-disclosure in therapy, examples of how it can be used effectively, including the potential benefits and risks of therapist self-disclosure, as well as key considerations therapists should keep in mind before sharing personal information with their clients.

What is self-disclosure in therapy? 

Therapist self-disclosure refers to a therapist intentionally sharing personal information, experiences, or feelings with a client.

Self-disclosure in therapy is a nuanced and powerful tool.

Therapists may self-disclose intentionally or unintentionally.

Intentional self-disclosure 

When a therapist chooses to share personal information or experiences on purpose—to build trust with the client or offer insight—they’re practicing intentional self-disclosure.

Unintentional self-disclosure

This type of self-disclosure in therapy may occur accidentally—through body language, facial expressions, or personal details a client might notice, like a wedding ring or family photos in the office.

Research shows that therapist self-disclosure often occurs naturally, yet the topic is rarely discussed—especially when working with children and teens. Since it’s not commonly addressed during training, many therapists assume it’s something to avoid.

As a result, therapists may not realize how often they disclose things or may feel unsure about how to handle these situations.

The key is to make sure that any self-disclosure in therapy serves the therapeutic process rather than the therapist’s own needs.

Therapist self-disclosure examples

Here are some examples of therapist self-disclosure and how a clinician may use them in therapy:

• Sharing a personal struggle to normalize emotions: A therapist may share personal struggles to validate the client’s emotions and help them feel less alone.
  

Example: When I went through a similar situation, I remember feeling overwhelmed too. It’s OK to feel this way.”

• Providing a relatable example to inspire hope: Self-disclosure in therapy can be used to offer a relatable example that encourages progress and shows clients that change is achievable.
  

Example: In my experience, small changes over time made a big difference in managing stress.

• Acknowledging a shared cultural or situational experience: A therapist may draw on a shared experience to help clients feel understood in their unique context.

Example: As someone who grew up in a similar environment, I understand how challenging these expectations can feel.

• Explaining reactions or behavior during the session: A therapist may share their reactions to demonstrate empathy.
  

Example: I noticed I felt a bit emotional when you shared that. I can sense how deeply this affects you.

These appropriate self-disclosure examples illustrate how therapists can carefully integrate personal experiences or reactions to strengthen the therapeutic relationship when done thoughtfully and appropriately.

The benefits and risks of therapist self-disclosure

As illustrated in the examples above, there are numerous benefits to therapist self-disclosure—many of which bolster the therapist and client relationship.

However, there are also risks, especially when the self-disclosure is unintentional. Even appropriate self-disclosure in therapy can come with risks or have unintended consequences.

Here are some of the risks and benefits you may observe in your sessions: 

Benefits of self-disclosure

Some clients may generally or situationally feel misunderstood—especially if they have experienced invalidation, judgment, or a lack of emotional support in their personal lives. These feelings can stem from cultural or societal stigma as well as past experiences.

When therapists share personal experiences or feelings in the right way, it can help clients feel less alone and more understood. In these instances, self-disclosure in therapy may show clients that it’s OK to be open about emotions, which helps the client understand that their feelings are normal and important.

Using stories of overcoming adversity in self-disclosure can be effective, as long as they are relevant to the client’s experience and serve the client’s growth.

Sharing such stories can inspire hope to keep working through their own difficulties.

However, it’s important that the therapist’s story doesn’t overshadow the client’s experience or make the session about the therapist.

Risks of self-disclosure 

Therapist self-disclosure must be approached with care. Sharing too much personal information or irrelevant experiences can shift the focus away from the client, which can disrupt the therapeutic process.

Over-disclosure may also blur professional boundaries—this can undermine the therapist’s role as a neutral guide. Some clients might misinterpret self-disclosure as judgment, agreement, or over-identification.

Moreover, sharing personal experiences without careful thought could unintentionally distress, distract, or overwhelm the client.

Factors to consider before deciding to self-disclose 

Before self-disclosing, therapists may want to reflect on the following:

• Relevance: Is this disclosure directly beneficial to the client’s therapeutic goals?

• Boundaries: Will this disclosure maintain professional boundaries and uphold the therapeutic relationship?

• Intent: Am I disclosing this for the client’s benefit, or to fulfill a personal need?

• Client dynamics: How might this client react based on their personality, culture, or current emotional state?

• Timing: Is the client in a space where they can process this information constructively?

Note that the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct does not specifically mention self-disclosure, but it emphasizes key ethical standards that are highly relevant to using self-disclosure in therapy.

For example, beneficence means putting the client’s well-being first, so self-disclosure should only be used if it helps their healing. 

And nonmaleficence, or the “do no harm” principle, reminds therapists to avoid disclosures that might cause discomfort or confusion, and, as a result, harm the therapist and client relationship.

Additionally, the code of conduct requires psychologists to manage personal issues that could impair their professional judgment. When applied to self-disclosure , this code implies that any self-disclosure in therapy should be made thoughtfully, as to prevent  unresolved personal matters from negatively impacting the client’s progress.

Self-disclosure when working with kids and teens

When working with young clients, therapist self-disclosure requires extra care, since their developmental stage and emotional maturity may influence how they perceive and process the disclosure.

For example, a therapist might share a simple, relatable experience about feeling nervous before a presentation, which could help the child understand that their feelings are normal and not something to hide.

A therapist should also be cautious about sharing experiences that are too complex or tangentially unrelated to current issues the child or teen is facing to avoid confusion or cause them to feel responsible for the therapist’s emotions.

Closing thoughts on self-disclosure in therapy

Therapist self-disclosure is a nuanced tool, and while it can build trust and offer validation, it also carries some risks.

Many therapists, particularly those with experience in this area, understand that effective self-disclosure is not always an easy feat and must be exercised with caution.

Self-disclosure in therapy demands continuous reflection on the intent behind the disclosure and a deep awareness of the client’s needs and circumstances.

Sources

• Sage Journals. Johnsen, C., & Ding, H. T. (2021). Therapist self-disclosure: Let’s tackle the elephant in the room. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 26(2), 443–450.

• American Psychological Association. (ND). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.

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