Introduction

Psychotherapy is one such relationship where participants likely do not disclose equally. In contrast, given that the purpose of psychotherapy is to help the client, therapist self-disclosure (TSD) is much more limited and ideally used only to help the client rather than meet therapists' needs. The varied therapy theories and traditions reflect divergent views regarding TSD. Therapists following traditional psychoanalytic or psychodynamic approaches are often trained to be neutral, anonymous, and nonself-disclosing with clients, in the belief that such abstinence fosters the uncovering, interpreting, and ultimate resolution of clients' transference. Therapists following a humanistic orientation assert that TSD demonstrates therapist genuineness and openness, and also demystifies the therapy process. The therapy endeavor relies on clients disclosing their concerns, for clients' revelations of their thoughts and feelings are indeed the essential source material with which therapists work. Farber and Nitzburg explored disclosures by young adults in therapy and on Facebook, a fascinating examination of how social media may interact with therapy.