What might be some reasons that would support therapist self-disclosure of sexual orientation? Are there reasons that suggest that such a self?disclosure may not be appropriate or ethical?

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

Peterson (2002) states that decisions about whether to self-disclose should be based upon the particular content of the disclosure, the reasons for disclosing, who the client is, and the circumstances of the disclosure. In the broadest sense, reasons to disclose or not to disclose can be divided into whether the disclosure represents beneficence, or helping the client, or harming or exploiting the client. A particular disclosure shared under appropriate circumstances with a client who interprets the disclosure as helpful can be a powerful therapeutic tool. However, a self-disclosure may also serve to meet the worker’s needs and detract attention from the client’s experience. Peterson also notes that the therapist’s theoretical orientation also provides critical reasons to support the decision to self-disclose or not. For example, a psychoanalytically oriented therapist will be unlikely to disclose sensitive personal information in the belief that it would interfere or detract from the client’s work. On the other hand, a therapist with a humanistic orientation would likely see such a disclosure as a matter of fidelity and integrity in the experience with the client. Therapies that include providing a client with specific suggestions or illustrations could include personal self disclosure. It is often difficult for the practitioner to examine the reasons for making a particular disclosure or not with a particular client at a particular time, while, at the same time, deciding which criteria in the decision-making framework should be given priority. (See also Question #3.)