To Tell of Not to Tell:  Ethical Considerations of Self-Disclosure (3 HR) Syllabus

I. Understanding Self-Disclosure in Therapy

• Define self-disclosure and distinguish immediate from non-immediate disclosures
• Explore types of disclosures: deliberate, unavoidable, accidental, inappropriate, and client-initiated
• Examine historical perspectives including Carl Rogers’ disclosure patterns

II. Clinical Functions and Ethical Implications

• Identify benefits such as enhancing rapport, modeling vulnerability, and normalizing client experiences
• Acknowledge risks including boundary confusion, shift of focus, and damage to trust
• Discuss self-disclosure as a clinical competency and intervention

III. Ethical Standards and Professional Guidelines

• Review NASW, ACA, and AAMFT ethics codes on conflicts of interest and appropriateness of disclosure
• Emphasize disclosures should be used only when benefiting the client
• Understand that disclosures should never serve the therapist’s personal interest

IV. Client Perspectives and Cultural Sensitivity

• Present client reactions to various disclosure styles and contexts
• Discuss the impact of clinician warmth versus detachment
• Explore considerations related to timing, intensity, and relevance

V. Decision-Making Frameworks and Guidelines

• Introduce the WAIT model (Why Am I Telling This?)
• Encourage assessment of content, timing, and intensity
• Emphasize the importance of attunement and client-centered intentions

VI. Disclosure in Special Contexts and Populations

• Examine appropriate use with substance use, minors, LGBTQ+ clients, veterans, and culturally diverse populations
• Understand questions commonly posed by minors and how to navigate them ethically
• Consider how spiritual, racial, and developmental factors influence disclosure choices

VII. Contraindications and Red Flags

• Identify clinician-based issues such as unmet personal needs or poor boundaries
• Recognize client-based issues such as dependency, trauma history, or vulnerability to misunderstanding
• Address red flags such as frequent personal sharing or disclosures used to seek affirmation

VIII. Skill Practice and Application

• Practice responses to client statements using appropriate self-disclosure
• Role-play when disclosure enhances insight versus when it complicates the relationship
• Use case vignettes to apply ethical reasoning to disclosure decisions

IX. Managing Client-Initiated Questions

• Explore techniques to turn questions back to the client
• Practice brief, appropriate responses or gentle redirection
• Watch and discuss video examples of client inquiry and therapist responses

X. Resources and Continued Learning

• Access ethics codes, scholarly articles, and professional guidelines
• Explore handouts such as the Self-Disclosure Survey and SD Consideration Questions
• Use tools like the Parade of Red Flags and Self-Disclosure Worksheets for decision support