67th Annual Conference

Friday, February 26

Session 310

Therapeutic Impact of Therapist Self-Disclosure in Groups

Chair:                

Bonnie Buchele, Ph.D., ABPP, CGP, DFAGPA, Private Practice, Kansas City, Missouri      

Panelists:

Shoshana Ben-Noam, Psy.D., CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, New York, New York

Louisa Powell Livingston, Ph.D., CGP, Faculty, Postgraduate Center of Mental Health, New York, New York

Therapist self-disclosure affects both the therapist and the group. It can enhance the group process or impede it.  This open session will explore the implications of therapist self-disclosure or nondisclosure in the group situation. Issues such as transference, countertransference, authenticity and involuntary self-disclosure will be addressed. A demonstration group will be followed by a discussion.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Identify the benefits & shortcomings of self-disclosure & nondisclosure.

2. State the impact of self-disclosure on group members and process.

3. Specify how self-disclosure affects the therapist.

Course References:

Cohen, B. D., & Schermer, V.L. (2001). Therapist self- disclosure in group psychotherapy from an intersubjective and self psychological standpoint. GROUP, 25, 41-57.

Counselman, E. F. (2005). Containing and using powerful therapist reactions. In Complex Dilemmas in Group Therapy, edited by L. Motherwell & J. J. Shay. New York: Brunner-Routledge, 155-165.

Sternbach, J. (2003). Self-Disclosure with all-male groups. International Journal of Group psychotherapy, 53:61-81.