Self‐disclosure, trauma and the pressures on the analyst

Abstract

This paper argues that self-disclosure is intimately related to traumatic experience and the pressures on the analyst not to re-traumatize the patient or repeat traumatic dynamics. The paper gives a number of examples of such pressures and outlines the difficulties the analyst may experience in adopting an analytic attitude - attempting to stay as closely as possible with what the patient brings. It suggests that self-disclosure may be used to try to disconfirm the patient's negative sense of themselves or the analyst, or to try to induce a positive sense of self or of the analyst which, whilst well-meaning, may be missing the point and may be prolonging the patient's distress. Examples are given of staying with the co-construction of the traumatic early relational dynamics and thus working through the traumatic complex; this attitude is compared and contrasted with some relational psychoanalytic attitudes.

Experiential Knowledge of Mental Health Professionals : Service Users’ Perceptions

“…While both recovery-oriented and trauma-informed approaches aim to strengthen users' independence, the strong rapport and sometimes (counter) transference feelings between professional and user also may possibly lead to blurring the relationship's boundaries. A positive risk-taking stance in this dilemma is becoming more prominent in novel trauma concepts, whereas traditional clinical practice used to focus on the risks, such as re-enactments (West, 2017). Therefore, a userfocused intention on professional disclosure, paired with a reflexive dialogue to evaluate interactions between user and professional, seem paramount.…”

The Other made visible: creative methods, inner figures and agents of change when working through early childhood trauma in adulthood1

“…Consequently, the regression, reactivation and re‐enactment of infantile parts must include a working through. Relational aspects of the analysis express and hold conflicts and mutual resistances; within the transference/countertransference, unformulated energies in the field are re‐experienced, necessitating the analyst to metabolize and translate what is uncanny, invisible and timeless (Austin 2005; Cwik, 2011; West 2017, 2021; Lagutina 2021; de Rienzo 2021). When the habitual dissociative patterns, so emblematic of early trauma, become concrete and shared visibly within this mercurial in‐between space , another layer of relational coherence occurs.…”

Celebrating the Wounded Healer Psychotherapist: Pain, Post-Traumatic Growth and Self-Disclosure

“…A continued caution and reluctance for therapists to disclose persists due to theoretical guidance, a desire not to influence the patient, personality traits of the therapist, or a preference for an expert based distance (Sugarman, 2012). While many tout the "need of the patient" as the necessary guideline around whether or not to disclose (Knox & Hill, 2003;Richards, 2018), in recent years the profession has increasingly tolerated and explored the value of self-disclosure in the treatment room (Hill, Knox, & Pinto-Coelho, 2018;Knox & Hill, 2003;Lee, 2014;Richards, 2018;Sugarman, 2012;West, 2017). Both dangers and benefits are present when a therapist chooses to engage in self-disclosure with a client (Berg, Antonsen, & Binder, 2017;Sugarman, 2012).…”

“…Both dangers and benefits are present when a therapist chooses to engage in self-disclosure with a client (Berg, Antonsen, & Binder, 2017;Sugarman, 2012). West (2017) appeals to therapists to reflect upon self-disclosing in particular cases, rather than relying unthinkingly on tradition. This space of intentional reflection seems to be the book's niche.…”

“…Farber insists that while therapists and clients do not have control over all that was done to them, they do have control over the kind of actions taken to get support. This book offers space for intentional reflection rather than dismiss or denying personal trauma (West, 2017).…”