ABSTRACT
The discussion about styles of self in therapy connects to the use of revelation/disclosure of self in therapy. Once more we can see that the use of self-disclosure may be related to how collaborative or active a therapist may be in their style. Shadley (2000) for instance found in her research that some therapists saw therapy as an `intimate interaction' and therefore saw self-disclosure as crucial in helping to develop an honest, open relationship with family members. On the other hand, some therapists see this as inappropriate behaviour for the therapist and so limit self-disclosure to a minimum. Here they would disclose an aspect of themselves only if it was required within the particular context of the therapy session. Once more context may determine the comfort with which therapists approach selfdisclosure. Lerner (1999) for instance describes working with a family in which the father had been diagnosed with cancer. He reports that within the therapy session he revealed that he, the therapist, was in remission from cancer. This was disclosed as a way of helping the family cope with the diagnosis. He states that this was helpful to the family even after the father had died. Roberts (2005) also writes very eloquently about talking with families about her own family struggles. However, the context for both of these writers is that they work in private practice within smallish towns in the USA. Family therapy practice in the UK differs signi®cantly from this: In the UK the professional role is much more pronounced within the NHS and families are less likely to already know the local `therapist'.
