Self-disclosure can be a useful tool in a clinical setting or itcan blur boundary lines if used incorrectly. While it is acontroversial approach, research shows that clients who havecounselors who disclose some information about themselves havelower stress levels than those whose counselors do not (Barrett& Berman, 2001). Review Karen’s approach below and determinewhat she could do to utilize self-disclosure in a helpful way.Write a paragraph about your feelings on how she usedself-disclosure and write 1-2 sentences on how Karen could haveused self-disclosure in a way that would have been more helpful toJoe.
Karen is a counselor in a residential treatment facility. Herclient, Joe, shared that he went to jail an altercation he had whenhe was drunk. Karen responded, “I know what you mean. When I wasyounger I was almost arrested when I was drunk. I had some crazytimes in college!”
