Overview

The APS hosts this webinar with the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

Self-disclosure in the context of therapy refers to a therapist making revelations about aspects of their personal life to clients. When used with discretion and appropriate foresight, self-disclosure can be a useful therapeutic tool. Self-disclosure must always be for the benefit of the client, not the therapist.

This webinar will consider aspects of self-disclosure in clinical practice, including:

• using self-disclosure to enhance therapy and the therapeutic relationship,

• factors that influence self-disclosure, including therapeutic modality, countertransference, personality, and burnout,

• code of Conduct considerations, including boundaries and confidentiality (of both client and therapist),

• risks and benefits of self-disclosure,

• responding to client requests for personal information, and

• self-disclosure and self-promotion: managing personal information in online settings, including social media and professional networks.

Level of Learning

Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those with some prior learning on the topic.

Duration of access

This webinar will be recorded. Access to the recording and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this webinar, participants should be able to:

• describe self-disclosure and its application to clinical practice,

• recognise risks and benefits of self-disclosure in clinical practice,

• identify individual factors relevant to self-disclosure, and

• develop strategies to manage self-disclosure.

Presenter(s)

Dr Bianca Denny MAPS

About the presenter(s)

Dr Bianca Denny is a clinical psychologist and board-approved supervisor. She works from a psychodynamic and relational perspective. Bianca has authored two books, and writes widely for academia and mainstream media on topics of mental health, mental illness, psychology, and therapy. Her clinical and research interests include the training and wellbeing of health professionals, diagnosis and diagnostic trends, and psychological distress following illness and injury.