Abstract
The closeness and intensity of feeling that develops between therapist and patient raises complex issues related to the therapist's neutrality, the transference, the countertransference, the therapeutic alliance, and the very essence of the curative aspects of the relationship. The issue of the relationship of self disclosure and the evolving transference, countertransference complex is discussed. It is suggested that on some occasions, the pressure a therapist feels to spontaneously disclose something intimately personal is an indication that the therapeutic role has become reversed and the therapist is using the process to heal a vulnerability in himself or herself. The patient unconsciously participates in the interest of safeguarding the treatment process. In such instances the self disclosure need not interfere with the evolving transference. It may lead to great spontaneity in the process and to opening areas of affect previously unreachable. Self disclosures cannot be viewed as technical innovations to avoid stalemates in clinical practice. Rather, they are facts of our clinical life, facts that must be explained and understood rather than judged and condemned.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abend, S. M. (1982). Serious illness in the analyst: Countertransference considerations.Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 30, 365–380.
Basch, M.F. (1983). Affect and the analyst.Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 3(1), 691–704.
Brandchaft, B., & Stolorow (1984). A current perspective on difficult patients. In P.E. Stepansky & A. Goldberg, (Eds.),Kohut's Legacy. (pp. 93–116) The Analytic Press.
Chernin, P. (1976). Illness in a therapist-loss of omnipotence.Archives Gen. Psychiatry, 33, 1327–1328.
Dewald, P. (1964).Psychotherapy—a dynamic approach. New York: Basic Books.
Dewald, P. (1982). Serious illness in the analyst: Transference, countertransference, and reality responses.Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 30, 347–364.
Flaherty, J. A. (1979). Self-Disclosure in therapy: Marriage of the therapist.American Journal of Psychotherapy, 33(3), 442–452.
Freud, S. (1912a, 1962)Recommendations to physicians practising psycho-analysis, (Standard Editors), 12: 111–120.
Freud, S. (1912b, 1962).The dynamics of the transference, (Standard Edition), 12:97–109.
Giovacchini, P.L. (1978). The psycholanalytic treatment of the alienated patient. In J.F. Masterson (Ed.),New perspectives on psychotherapy of the borderline adult. (pp. 1–19) New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Gitelson, M. (1952). The emotional position of the analyst in the psychoanalytic situation. In:Psychoanalysis, science and profession, New York: International Universities Press.
Greenacre, P. (1966). Problems of overidealization of the analyst and of analysis: Their manifestation in the transference countertransference relationship. In:Emotional Growth. (pp. 743–761) New York: International Universities Press.
Greenson, R. R. (1960). Empathy and its vicissitudes,International Journal Psycho-Analysis, 41:418–424.
Greenson, R. R. (1967).The technique & practice of psychoanalysis. (Vol. 1.) New York: International Universities Press.
Groves, J. E. (1978). Taking care of the hateful patient.The New England Journal of Medicine, 4, 576–681.
Gunther, M.S. (1976). The endangered self: A contribution to the understanding of narcissistic determinants of countertransference.The Annual of Psychoanalysis.4, 201–224.
Jourard, S. M., & Lasakow, P. (1958). Some factors in self-disclosure.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 51, 91–103.
Kohut, H. (1959). Introspection, empathy and psychoanalysis.Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 7, 459–507.
Kohut, H. (1971).The analysis of the self. New York: International Universities Press.
Kohut, H. (1977)The restoration of the self. New York: International Universities Press.
Kraft, A. D., Palombo, J., Mitchell, D. L., Woods, P. K., Schmidt, A. W. & Tucker, N. G. (1986). Some theoretical considerations on confidential adoption part IV: Countertransference.Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal.
Langs, R. (1973).The technique of psychoanalytic psychotherapy (Vol. I. & II.). New York: Mason Aronson, Inc.
Lax, R. F. (1969). Some considerations about transference & countertransference manifestations evoked by the analyst's pregnancy.International Journal of Psycho-analysis, 50, 363–371.
Leider, R. J., (1983). Analytic neutrality— a historical review,Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 3, 665–674.
Leider, R. J., (1984). The neutrality of the analyst in the analytic situation,Journal American Psychoanalytic Association, 32, 573–586.
Little, R. B. (1967). Transference, countertransference & survival reactions following an analyst's heart attack,Psychoanalytic Forum, 2, 107–126.
Mahler, M. S. (1968).On human symbiosis and the vicissitudes of individuals. New York: International Universities Press.
Martin, P. A. (1975). The obnoxious patient. In P. L. Giovacchini, (Ed.).Tactics & techniques in psychoanalytic therapy, Vol. 2: Countertransference. (pp. 96–204). New York: Jason Aronson.
Palombo, J. (1985). Selfpsychology and countertransference in the treatment of children.Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal.2, 36–48.
Poland, W. S. (1984). On the analyst's neutrality,Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 32, 283–300.
Schamess, G. (1981). Boundary issues in countertransference: A developmental perspective.Clinical Social Work Journal, 9, 244–257.
Searles, H. (1975). The Patient as therapist to his analyst. In P. Giovancchini, (Ed.),Tactics & techniques in psychoanalytic therapy, Vol. II: Countertransference. New York: Jason Aronson.
Searles, H. (1959). Oedipal love in the countertransference. InCollected papers on schizophrenia and other subjects. New York: International Universities Press 1965.
Shapiro, T. (1984). On neutrality.Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 32, 269–383.
Weiner, M. F. (1972). Self-exposure by the therapist as a therapeutic technique.American Journal of Psychotherapy, 26, 42–56.
Winnicott, D. W. (1949). Hate in the countertransference.International Journal of Psych-Analaysis, 30, 69–74.
Wolf, E. S. (1983). Aspects of neutrality.Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 3, 675–690.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Palombo, J. Spontaneous self disclosures in psychotherapy. Clin Soc Work J 15, 107–120 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00752905
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00752905