Therapist Self-Disclosure In The Therapeutic Alliance

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly D. KOCH
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Self Disclosure

Major Techniques and Interventions

2017 ◽  
pp. 41-72
Author(s):  
Collie W. Conoley ◽  
Michael J. Scheel
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Positive Psychotherapy ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Information Giving ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Therapeutic Techniques ◽  
Direct Guidance

This chapter present the techniques and interventions of Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP). Highlighted are the therapist’s intentions to emphasize the client’s strengths and to facilitate the expression of positive emotions, hope, and goals while focusing on the therapeutic alliance. Psychotherapy is not viewed as a set of potent scripted treatments that act upon the client. The therapeutic techniques include nonverbal communication, mirroring, open and closed questions, paraphrase and reflection, challenge, summarizing, empathy, interpretation, self-disclosure, immediacy, information giving, and direct guidance. The interventions include capitalization, self-affirmation, formula-first-session-task, reframing, success-finding, encouragement, visualizing success, miracle question, scaling questions, best-possible-self, count your blessings, self-compassion, and mindfulness. The practitioner is urged to use GFPP’s theoretical model to guide the treatment intentions and use any techniques and interventions that fit with the client and the GFPP model.

Foundational Techniques Part II

2019 ◽  
pp. 102-113
Author(s):  
Brian A. Sharpless
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy ◽  
Personal History ◽  
Adaptive Behaviors ◽  
General Knowledge ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Personality Organization ◽  
Social Conventions ◽  
Professional Boundaries

This second chapter on foundational techniques begins with a discussion of how psychodynamic therapists typically behave. These behaviors often differ markedly from normal social conventions but help maintain professional boundaries and a therapeutic focus on the patient. An example of this is therapist ambiguity, or limiting the patient’s general knowledge about the therapist’s personal history and beliefs (e.g., limiting reciprocal self-disclosure). Another example is psychodynamic abstinence, or not gratifying the patient’s unhealthy wishes or desires. Technical neutrality is also considered in the context of the patient’s level of personality organization but, in general, consists of taking a nonjudgmental stance. Finally, therapists model healthy and adaptive behaviors for their patients (e.g., thoughtfulness, honesty). The second section of this chapter focuses on how to begin a course of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Therapy contracts, the therapeutic alliance, and ways to socialize patients into treatment are all discussed.

Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depressive Symptoms: An Exploratory Examination of Therapist Behaviours and their Relationship to Outcome and Therapeutic Alliance

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 625-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke H. Schneider ◽  
Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos ◽  
Y. Nichole Faller
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
The Impact

Background: A previous study of therapist-assisted Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) for generalized anxiety (Paxling et al., 2013) identified eight distinct therapist behaviours in ICBT (task reinforcement, self-efficacy shaping, task prompting, alliance bolstering, psychoeducation, empathetic utterances, deadline flexibility, and self-disclosure). It is unknown how generalizable these behaviours are across ICBT programs. Aims: We systematically examined the frequency of these eight therapist behaviours and additional newly identified behaviours in e-mails sent to patients during the course of ICBT for depressive symptoms. We also conducted exploratory analyses to examine relationships between therapist behaviours, symptom improvement, and therapeutic alliance. Method: Data was obtained from a previously published open trial (Hadjistavropoulos et al., 2014). A total of 1013 e-mails sent from therapists (n = 24) to patients (n = 41) during ICBT for depressive symptoms were analyzed. Therapist behaviours were correlated with symptom change scores and ratings of therapeutic alliance at mid- and post-treatment. Results: Therapist behaviours described by Paxling et al. were reliably identified in the e-mails using qualitative content analysis; the frequencies of these behaviours differed, however, from the Paxling et al. study and three additional therapist behaviours were identified (administrative statements, questionnaire feedback, asking clarifying questions). Several therapist behaviours (e.g. administrative statements, task prompting) were associated with lower symptom improvement at post-treatment. Questionnaire feedback and task reinforcement were associated with higher patient ratings of therapeutic alliance. Conclusions: The study provides partial support for the generalizability of therapist-assistance across ICBT programs. Experimental research is needed to examine the impact of varying therapist-assistance on patient outcomes.

Effect of Counselors' Self-References on Subjects' First Impressions in an Experimental Psychological Interview

1984 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 803-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth G. Loeb ◽  
John M. Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
First Impressions ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Therapeutic Practice ◽  
The One ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Self Reference

The present study examined the relationship between counselors' self-disclosure and clients' impressions of the counselors' empathy, competence and trustworthiness. 87 subjects were randomly selected and assigned to one of three disclosure conditions, personal self-reference, indirect self-reference, and no self-reference. Subjects read written dialogues then rated the counselors on these qualities using three standardized relationship inventories. An unambiguous preference for the counselor who made indirect references to his experiences and feelings was noted. The counselor using personal statements received the lowest ratings, and the one using only reflective, non-revealing statements was given moderate evaluations. One of the implications for therapeutic practice is that the use of self-disclosure early in treatment may be counterproductive inasmuch as it may undermine the perceptions necessary for the development of a strong therapeutic alliance.

Effect of Therapist's Self-Disclosure on Patients' Impressions of Empathy, Competence, and Trust in an Analogue of a Psychotherapeutic Interaction

1981 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Technique ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Initial Prediction

The present study examined the relationship between a therapist's self-disclosure and the patients' impressions of the therapist's empathy, competence, and trust. Written dialogues were constructed to manipulate three conditions of high, low, and no disclosure by the therapist. 57 subjects were randomly selected and assigned to one of three treatment conditions, and the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory and Sorenson Relationship Questionnaire were measures of perceived empathy, competence, and trust. Findings confirmed the initial prediction: the greater the use of therapist's self-disclosure, the lower the subjects' impressions and evaluations of the therapist's empathy, competence, and trust. The results raise doubt regarding the predictability of therapist's self-disclosure as a psychotherapeutic technique and suggest that, at least with respect to the type of self-disclosure used in this study, therapists who utilize self-disclosing techniques may risk adversely affecting essential impressions on which a therapeutic alliance is established.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document