ABSTRACT
Self-disclosure is where the therapist reveals something of their own experience in the therapy with the client. Self-disclosure is one of the most controversial and potentially problematic interventions a therapist can use, and yet there is research evidence that appropriate self-disclosure can enhance the therapy. Selfre¯ection is an essential precursor to effective and ethical selfdisclosure. Yalom (2001) divides therapist self-disclosure into three different kinds: disclosure on the mechanisms of therapy; disclosure of the therapist's here-and-now feelings; and disclosure of the therapist's personal life. He advocates full and frank disclosure regarding the processes of therapy in a way that most transactional analysts would identify as being part of a clear contracting phase at the outset of therapy, and as part of the orientation stage to assist clients in learning how to `do therapy'. This process is ongoing in that the therapist may disclose their reasons for pursuing certain lines of enquiry, or may discuss aspects of their treatment plan and the rationale behind it with their client. Yalom goes on to advise the selective reporting of the therapist's here-and-now feelings in the therapy (linked to client diagnosis, presenting problem and whether it might help the client with exploring some aspect of their relational script), and cautious disclosure about the therapist's personal life.
