The Problem of Self-Disclosure in Psychoanalysis

Abstract

The problem of self-disclosure is explored in relation to currently shifting paradigms of the nature of the analytic relation and analytic interaction. Relational and intersubjective perspectives emphasize the role of self-disclosure as not merely allowable, but as an essential facilitating aspect of the analytic dialogue, in keeping with the role of the analyst as a contributing partner in the process. At the opposite extreme, advocates of classical anonymity stress the importance of neutrality and abstinence. The paper seeks to chart a course between unconstrained self-disclosure and absolute anonymity, both of which foster misalliances. Self-disclosure is seen as at times contributory to the analytic process, and at times deleterious. The decision whether to self-disclose, what to disclose, and when and how, should be guided by the analyst's perspective on neutrality, conceived as a mental stance in which the analyst assesses and decides what, at any given point, seems to contribute to the analytic process and the patient's therapeutic benefit. The major risk in self-disclosure is the tendency to draw the analytic interaction into the real relation between analyst and patient, thus diminishing or distorting the therapeutic alliance, mitigating transference expression, and compromising therapeutic effectiveness.

What Do Patients Want?: Personal Disclosure and the Intersubjective Perspective

“…Meissner (2002) suggests that the therapeutic alliance be the foremost factor when considering disclosure. He considers the therapist's anonymity or gratification of a patient's wishes as secondary to issues related to the alliance with the patient.…”

“…Although some clinicians have expressed concern that there is too much disclosure by contemporary relational therapists (Meissner 2002;Teicholz 2001), a careful reading of American relational theorists,' perspective suggests that they, too, are concerned about the timing and manner of disclosure (Aron 1991;Greenberg 2001;Wachtel 2008). Personal disclosure may be called for because of some tension in the transference and countertransference that requires the therapist to 'throw away the book' (Hoffman 1983;Greenberg 2001).…”

Os Psicanalistas E as Redes Sociais on-Line: Imagem Profissional, Desejos Pessoais E Implicações Clínicas

“…E a realidade está levando os psicanalistas a propor uma revisão nos paradigmas que concluem sobre a natureza da relação e da interação analíticas (MEISSNER, 2002).…”

“…Esta equação não se coloca como uma fórmula, pois variáveis como a personalidade e o estilo individual de cada analista afetam os efeitos de seus Self-Disclosures (MEISSNER, 2002). Mais do que comportamentos ou assuntos especificamente indicados ou contraindicados, o critério para a preservação do vínculo em seu eixo terapêutico é o objetivo pretendido com a revelação feita.…”

“…De outra mais profunda, essa técnica encontra suas fronteiras até onde não avance para uma aliança terapêutica disfuncional. Meissner (2002) -da-Costa (1989-da-Costa ( , 1994-da-Costa ( , 2004-da-Costa ( , 2009 Essa segunda escuta me possibilitou organizar um primeiro roteiro-piloto, que foi testado nas entrevistas individuais com 2 psicanalistas. Delas, obtive material suficiente para aplicar as técnicas de análise do discurso (NICOLACI-DA-COSTA, 1989;1994), o que me levou a modificar alguns tópicos e acrescentar outros, resultando num segundo roteiro-piloto aprimorado.…”