ABSTRACT
Boundary violations, such as engaging in a sexual relationship with a client, provide a unique contextual landscape for making decisions about the use of self-disclosure in subsequent therapies. The harm that comes from this breach of trust creates significant levels of ambivalence, mistrust in professionals and oneself, guilt, increased risk for suicidality, and confusion about sexual and interpersonal boundaries (Luepker, 1990a; Pope, 1994, 2001). For those clients who choose to seek therapy after being harmed by professionals, it can and even should have profound effects on the next therapist’s choice about whether or not to utilize self-disclosure. This chapter will provide information for therapists to consider when working with individuals who have experienced significant boundary violations with a previous therapist. Although there are a number of unique contextual factors, the most critical to consider are whether self-disclosure is a common practice for the newly treating therapist and the extent to which the previous therapist utilized self-disclosure (G. Schoener, personal communication, July 16, 2017). While it remains possible to utilize self-disclosure with those who have been harmed by therapists, it is likely necessary to engage in even more careful consideration, consultation, professional restraint, and planning when working with previously violated clients.
