Self-disclosure is a thoughtful guide to consider when deciding what and how much to share in different social contexts. It encourages us not only to be intentional about whom we are open to but also serves as an insight into the importance of privacy and why difficulties arise during interpersonal interactions. Whether we are faced with sharing information from our past or present personally or professionally, we are often unsure of how that information will be perceived. Learn how you might use “less than positive” information to help build relationships and show your children and clients that we can use our challenges to move us forward rather than hamper our growth.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Define self-disclosure and how it impacts relationships clinically.
- Consider whether sharing information from their past or present, personally or professionally, is clinically appropriate.
- Utilize “less than positive” information to help strengthen clinical relationships and show clients how we may use our challenges to move forward rather than hamper growth.
- Discuss the process of self-disclosure, including how we make decisions about what, where, when, and how to disclose.
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Foundations of Self-Disclosure
- Purpose and impact of self-disclosure in clinical relationships
- Levels of disclosure: secrecy, judicious use, and open communication
- Balancing vulnerability with professionalism
Objective #2: Historical Perspectives and Evolution
- Freud’s perspective on clinician impenetrability
- Humanist Movement’s endorsement of therapeutic disclosure
- Feminist Movement’s advocacy for egalitarian clinician-client relationships
- Influence of 12-step programs and popular media
Objective #3: Therapeutic Characteristics of Self-Disclosure
- Disclosure improves trust and understanding
- Focus remains on the client’s issues, not clinician’s needs
- Judicious examples of therapeutic self-sharing
- Recognizing boundary crossings versus boundary violations
Objective #4: Risks, Perceptions, and Bias
- Hesitancy around self-disclosure due to fear of negative perceptions
- Influence of prejudice and misinterpretation
- Reframing perceived negatives into strengths
- Exploring how personal biases can color clinical judgment
Objective #5: Types and Contexts of Disclosure
- Deliberate disclosures: self-revealing and self-involving
- Unavoidable disclosures: appearance, demeanor, office environment
- Accidental disclosures: spontaneous or unplanned interactions
- Organizational disclosures: agency policies and confidentiality nuances
Objective #6: Factors to Consider Before Disclosing
- Examining motivations and potential risks
- Content appropriateness: avoiding over-sharing personal struggles
- Judging intimacy and context based on client needs
- Ethical considerations and peer perspective analysis
Objective #7: Boundaries and Ethical Practice
- Maintaining personal and professional boundaries
- Understanding the risks of frequent or intense disclosure
- Recognizing when disclosure serves client versus clinician needs
- Navigating workplace-specific disclosure norms
Objective #8: Managing Client Reactions and Expectations
- Responding to client inquiries about clinician experiences
- Using self-disclosure to strengthen rapport thoughtfully
- Respecting clients’ needs for authenticity without overshadowing their issues
Objective #9: Strategies for Ethical Self-Disclosure
- Mnemonic: Examine values, Think laws, Hypothesize consequences, Identify impact, Consult supervisors
- Weighing benefits and harms to the client carefully
- Tailoring self-disclosure to fit the therapeutic goals and context
Final Reflections and Practical Application
- Emphasizing the importance of ethical mindfulness
- Encouraging deliberate, minimal, and purposeful disclosures
- Building therapeutic alliances through trust, transparency, and professional integrity
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Ethics asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Ethics continuing education training.
Instructor: Tonya M. Logan, LICSW, LCSW-C
Recording Date: 2/17/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Ethics continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com