Psychotherapist self-disclosure and transparency in the Internet age.

Abstract

All psychotherapists engage in self-disclosure with their clients. At times it may be deliberate or nondeliberate, verbal or nonverbal, and avoidable or unavoidable. Yet, modern-day Internet technologies have redefined the meaning and applications of self-disclosure and transparency in psychotherapy. Consumers of mental health services can easily access large amounts of information about their psychologists. Clients' online searches about their psychotherapists may range from normal curiosity to criminal stalking. Following an examination of these issues, three invited experts share their commentaries on the issues raised. A historical review of self-disclosure in the mental health professions and the opposition of many theorists and practitioners to its use are provided. Further, the roles of Internet social networking and online communities for psychotherapists and their clients and prospective clients are explored, along with the clinical meaning of the ever-increasing digital transparencies of psychologists, trainees, and clients. Advice is provided for how to view, understand, and consider web postings by psychotherapists, clients, and others. Implications for clinical practice and training are provided along with recommendations for how to effectively address issues of digital transparency.

Attitudes to professional boundaries among therapists with and without substance abuse history

“…Some authors limit the notion of self-disclosure to verbal acts and differentiate types, such as facts, feelings, insight, strategy, reassurance/ support, challenge and immediacy (Knox & Hill, 2003). Zur, Williams, Lehavot, and Knapp (2009) concentrate less on the verbal content but view self-disclosure as the totality of information clients gain in contact with their therapists. These authors describe additional aspects: whether selfdisclosure was deliberate (therapist intentionally telling or showing something to a client), avoidable or not (some information is impossible or difficult to hide, e.g., therapist's age, disabilities or emotional expressions), or accidental (self-disclosures resulting from meeting a therapist in his daily life -in a cinema with his family, at a concert or a church).…”

“…Accidental encounters can be common when therapists and clients belong to the same local communities or live and work in small towns (Zur, 2006). Whereas in some cases self-disclosure can be part of an intentional therapeutic intervention, in others it can be inappropriate and unethical -for example, when it serves to fulfil a therapist's own needs for appreciation, support or closeness (Zur et al, 2009). …”

Crossing the Boundaries of Privacy in Accidental Encounters: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Therapists' Experiences

“…Contrary to this, there has been a lack of empirical evidence about situations that involve what Zur et al (2009) call accidental selfdisclosures. This type of disclosure can be unexpected, unintentional and beyond the therapist's control.…”

“…Whereas Knox and Hill (2003) limit the concept of therapist selfdisclosure to verbal statements and distinguish seven subtypes (disclosures of facts, feelings, insight, strategies, reassurance/support, challenge and immediacy), others use the term in a wider sense. Zur, Williams, Lehavot, and Knapp (2009) note, for instance, that not all types of self-disclosure are verbal and deliberate (or intentional). They provide additional examples, such as accidental self-disclosures, when a patient accidentally meets the therapist outside the professional context (e.g., at the local market, sauna or at a locker room shower in a gym).…”

Social networking and professional ethics: Client searches, informed consent, and disclosure.

“…In contrast. Zur, Williams, Lehavot, and Knapp (2009) argued that young professionals have grown up with the Internet and personal disclosures on this medium have become ingrained as a part of life. They warned that students might need support in examining their disclosures from a clinical perspective.…”