ABSTRACT
The subject of therapeutic self-disclosure (TSD) from Caucasian therapists to multicultural clients comes up somewhat frequently in the scholarly literature and with important implications for the research-informed practitioner. Studies of different cultural minority populations paired with Caucasian therapists consistently indicated that TSDs put forth with sincere intention to forge trusting relationships were often helpful, while more scripted and disingenuine disclosures were ill-advised. Disclosures of the Caucasian therapist’s experiences putting forth or contributing to racism, as the oppressor essentially acknowledging oppression to the oppressed, were noted in multiple papers. TSDs tended to be most helpful when the type and relative intimacy was congruent with the client’s cultural values, considerate of individual client and therapeutic relationship variables, and thereby respectful of both individual and between-group differences. Further study is needed in the area of TSD within all-cultural minority dyads, with therapists and clients of different cultural minority backgrounds, and with attention to intersectionality variables discussed in more detail in upcoming chapters of this text.
