What other topics of self-disclosure might parallel the dynamics of this dilemma?

Question

Debra Masters, a social worker in private practice, conducted an initial interview with Stephanie Railsback, a young woman also working in the helping professions, who was conflicted about her sexual orientation. Debra was a lesbian herself, open, but discreetly so. As the interview proceeded Debra was increasingly distracted by the question of whether she should disclose her sexual orientation to this client and, if so, when. Her anxiety intensified to such a degree that she had to leave the interview to compose herself and decide what to do to resolve this dilemma.

Answer 1

The question of self-disclosure of religious belief or spirituality might closely resemble the issues of self-disclosure of sexual orientation. Disclosure about religious or spiritual orientations, like disclosure about sexual orientation, may serve to strengthen empathy or serve as a barrier to forming a positive therapeutic relationship. Beliefs about a number of value-laden topics might also be related, with the potential for the client to erroneously define the therapist by generalizing about people who hold particular values. Such beliefs and topics might include abortion, capital punishment, rights for homosexual persons, affirmative action, or even the acceptability of physical punishment of children. In any of these situations, therapists risk that they or their clients will mistakenly assume other commonalities based on their shared values, interests, or beliefs.