Therapist Self-Disclosure In Group Counseling

You must be trustworthy in order to keep client information confidential, which also requires restraint and discipline. Most importantly, a counselor must keep up with their own mental health. Knowing how to cope, unwind, and relax after serving others can sometimes become emotionally taxing. Taking care of oneself in order to help others is paramount to success in their career. I believe that I posses all of these qualities and can learn to strengthen and apply them through your graduate program. In a world that is ever changing, diversity training and sensitivity is also important. As a therapist, I will be placed in environments with the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, traditions, and approaches than I. Building rapport through relationship and empathy will be the key to giving my clients the assurance needed to make their first step toward changing their lives and moving forward toward their desired self. My job, as a counselor is to empower, not to tear down, which is why I will seek to give back my services in low income areas, nonprofit organizations, as well as on a volunteer basis to improve my very own community.

As a counselor, the clients that come to receive services will generally be experiencing a tough time in in their lives. The intent of a counselor should be to see them through this time and help them overcome the hardship. A majority of the information they share will be not only be expected, but required to stay confidential. Summers (2014), informs her readers that “confidentiality is both an ethical principle and a legal right” (p. 47). Many individuals feel a sense of comfort knowing that the information they share with counselors will remain between them. Without this, many clients would potentially not feel comfortable enough to share some of the intense personal feelings or experiences they are dealing with.

I know how to listen, be persistent, trust worthy, and open minded. I also have had plenty of experiences that can help me to relate to other clients I may come in contact with. This will allow me to be more effective as a counselor. I have many goals as a young aspiring counselor. I think that the standards and goals I have for myself will allow me to uphold high standards for all my clients, which will show them that I believe in them. I have the personality, drive, and want to help people and this is why I chose the counseling profession. It will not always be easy, but it will always be rewarding knowing I did help someone, or at least tried to. It takes one person to make a positive impact and change someone’s life. I want to be that

Yalom & Leszcz states “Therapist help clients confirm or disconfirm their impressions of the therapists by gradually revealing more of themselves. The client is pressed to deal with the therapist as a real person in the here-and-now (2005, pg. 214). This is where self-awareness comes into play because as a group leader or therapist there are boundaries you should not cross ethical and morally for the sake of the therapeutic process. When considering how much to self-disclose or when is a right time to self-disclose. The reading expressed “ask yourself where the group is now. Is it a concealed, overly cautious group that may profit from a leader who models personal self-disclosure? Or has it already established vigorous self-disclosure norms and is in need of other kids of assistance? (Yalom & Leszcz, 2005, pg.

When one thinks of a counselor, what ideas come to mind? To advise, to instruct, to counsel? My reaction to counseling in my early days in the profession was to receive guidance from a professional when I did not have the answers myself or when I felt “stuck” with a problem in my personal life that I felt I could not solve. What did I wish to get from seeing a counselor? The question depends on what aspect you are seeking guidance or counsel in your life. The question changed when I began to pursue a career in counseling. The question became “Why do I want to be a counselor? Who do I want to serve? What

How Therapist Self-Disclosure And Non-Disclosure Affects Clients”, stated that, “The study results suggest that therapist self‐disclosure has both positive and negative treatment implications.” It depends on how therapeutic the self-disclosure would benefit the client in that given situation, and the client’s receptiveness to what information is given to them; for example, one patient may respond positively to a therapist’s self –disclosure that reveals another safe point of view of an issue, while another patient might feel that therapist’s has over stepped their boundaries. Madill et al. stated that, “These were sometimes attributed to inexperience and sometimes the characteristics of the total situation, such as events from the therapist's personal life” (13). There are times when sharing something from the therapist can help explain an issue that is present during the time of that therapy appointment. Another problem with a therapist’s self-disclosure is that after years of treatment, the therapist can run out of examples to use to clarify a point made during the appointment. Years and years of treatment sometimes cover issues where the therapist, will add something about himself or herself. People who tend to talk for a very long time during therapy can relate on a level that is not crossing the boundaries. In addition, self –disclosure may be a major problem for therapists who live and work in rural communities, because

A good counselor needs to show compassion, wisdom, care and courage. I have personally been counseled by Jason and he shows all of these qualities in the most humbled fashion. Many of his strengths were blossomed because of past mistakes. One of the changes that needed to made during sessions was a time limit, and the sessions needed to be back to back so there would be a consistent time frame between clients. Jason also established certain time frame when it came to listening and his vocal input. At a beginning of the session, the client will be able to talk for 10 minutes with no interruptions. This gives time the client become comfortable with their current environment and to be reassured that Jason is truly listening. For the next 30 minutes, Jason draws his client out, asking question to promote different perspectives. Again, the most important purpose of these sessions is to see where God and scripture fits into the clients

A counselor should be very observant and able to interpret non-verbal communication for example if the patient looks angry, and then find out the cause of his/her anger first. An effective counselor should provide non-possessive warmth in a counseling environment. Smile and show concern and acceptance by showing comfort, empathy, and understanding to the patient.

I agree that therapists who are unwilling to keep a secret with one partner commonly operate on the premise that it is most imperative that he or she remain trustworthy and foster a strong therapeutic relationship with both partners (Goldenberg et al, 2017). Such therapist believes that a willingness to keep a secret with one partner undermines the ability of clients to be able to trust them. They also understand that collusion with one partner against the other by keeping a secret puts them in a precarious position and can ultimately undermine the therapeutic process. This process, known as triangulation, occurs when a third party (i.e. the therapist) is drawn in to form an alliance with one partner against the other (Long & Young,

Another ethical issue unique to group therapy pertains to the screening of prospective participants. This screening is essential for determining the suitability of the members to the group. According to Finn & Barak (2010), groups that emphasize life skills, social skills, development or those involving personal issues are the ones that can benefit most from screening members. The screening process can help prospective members to clarify their expectations regarding the benefits they hope to reap from the group experience. The process can also aid in minimizing some of the complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity that members might have about their participation in the group therapy (Crespi, 2009).

Feltham and Horton 2006 recognise that many self-help groups work on the principle of group self-disclosure to encourage and challenge clients. They state that these self-help groups may work as it is a peer experience. In one-to-one counselling, it is important to acknowledge that the counsellor is not a peer. And self-disclosure must be used skilfully.

Some forms of self-disclosure are unavoidable. When a client walks into a therapy room they learn a great deal about their therapist. They will instantly see their therapist’s gender, approximate age, race, body type and style of dress (Peterson, 2002). In addition, information about credentials, where they were

Disclosure vs Anonymity can be a real struggle for some people. Disclosing something deep down inside of them that they never told a soul can be hard. It is also a struggle for the counselor to get that person to disclose that part of them. There may also fear rejection, judgment, or breach of confidentiality from the others in the group. It will be a tough job for the counselor, however if the counselor takes the time to sit down with that person and ask them what are their fears? What is holding them back from disclosing that part of them? Etc. I believe the counselor will be able to get a better understanding of what is going on with that person and he/she may feel comfortable talking about it. Authenticity vs Guardedness is my favorite

I think Self Disclosure is a slippery slope because if we let to much about ourselves we can experience a role reversal and if we do not disclose enough we may loose the client. I do think that drawing this line is difficult because as counselors we know the importance of connecting with the client and a shared personal experience is like creating an instant connection with another person. Our experiences give us the ability to empathize more deeply then just trying to put ourselves in someone else situation. I think I would have the most problem with self disclosure because I tend to be very open about my life, and things I have gone through I do not shy from sharing a personal experience. I like to help and

Welcome to my practice. I am looking forward to work with you. In accordance with RCW 18.225 and AAMFT ethical code 1.2, therapist/counselor shall provide disclosure information to each client before the implementation of a treatment plan. The disclosure information must be: specific to the type of treatment service offered, in a language that can be easily understood by the client, and contain sufficient detail to enable the client to make an informed decision whether or not to accept treatment from the disclosing licensee. This document has important information regarding our therapeutic work together. This document contains the following information: My experience as a therapist, my approaches to counseling, your rights as a client, your responsibilities as a client, and additional information. It is important that you review this document carefully before signing. When you sign this document, it represents an agreement between us. You may revoke this agreement at any time. If I have already taken actions or you have incurred financial obligations, the revocation will not be binding however. If you have any question after reading this document, feel free to ask me for clarifications.