ABSTRACT
Few studies to date have investigated therapeutic self-disclosure (TSD) to severely mentally ill or personality disordered clients, as well as TSDs regarding mental illness as put forth by a therapist with a somewhat similar personal history. Supervision/consultation is recommended to explore the inherent complexity of such intersections, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks of therapists sharing with clients that they too have had a history of mental illness. Limited scholarly literature in this area suggests a likelihood of benefits to the client when TSD is used judiciously, with balanced attention to the client’s early relationships and boundaries, as well as balanced attention to the client’s potential to benefit from versus misinterpret a disclosure of this particular content. It is possible that clients may benefit from lowered stigma and empowerment as a result of learning that therapists too have histories of mental illness. It is also possible that clients with prior histories of boundary problems, enmeshed families, or severe substance abuse may misinterpret TSD of illness as an indication of desire for a social relationship or fusion. The current chapter highlights key points from the literature, including cross-cultural factors, and findings of larger utility to the research-informed practitioner.
