| The focus of this study was the use of self-disclosure by the therapist to the client as a therapeutic intervention in individual psychotherapy with adults. The use of self-disclosure as a therapeutic intervention is a controversial issue that has been both supported and prohibited based on the interpretation of several psychological theories. Current research is limited and indicates inconsistent results regarding a variety of variables. The Therapist Self-Disclosure Questionnaire (TSDQ), designed by the author specifically for this project, was used to explore: (1) the frequency of use of seven types of therapist self-disclosure, both spontaneously offered and when requested by the client; (2) the theoretical rationale for disclosing or not disclosing; (3) the client and/or therapy characteristics that influence the therapist's decision (not) to self-disclose; (4) the potential influence of the therapist's theoretical orientation; (5) the potential influence of the therapist's level of experience; and (6) the therapist-as-clients' perceptions of their therapist's self-disclosure. Respondents included 157 psychologists (from a mailing of 500) selected from the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology who were licensed in the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and whose practice included, at least in part, individual psychotherapy with adults (age 21–65). Results suggest that (1) most therapists self-disclose at least some of the time; (2) the frequency of self-disclosure is influenced by the specific type of disclosure; (3) therapists self-disclose more frequently when it is precipitated by a client's question than when offered spontaneously; (4) highly experienced therapists self-disclose more frequently than novice therapists; and (5) primary theoretical orientation does not appear to influence therapists' use of self-disclosure. |
