ABSTRACT
Clients who experience chronic traumatization, particularly when perpetrated by attachment figures, frequently have complex reactions to forming and maintaining therapeutic relationships (Courtois & Ford, 2013; Dalenberg, 2000; Herman, 1997). Although many traumatized clients report that self-disclosure of emotions and present moment dynamics is helpful (e.g., Dalenberg, 2000), it can also bring up intense fear, particularly when there is a history of perpetrators using positive attachment-related behaviors just prior to moments of abuse (Courtois & Ford, 2013; Freyd, 1996; Herman, 1997). This chapter will provide an overview of the importance of self-disclosure when working with chronically traumatized clients and that it is likely to be necessary for healing and modeling of effective relational behavior, among other therapeutic goals (Dalenberg, 2000; Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995).
