Self-disclosure: the invaluable grey area.

Warrender, Dan

Abstract

Self-disclosure can be valuable in therapeutic relationships, though practitioners may feel apprehension around boundaries and worry what may be appropriate. This article asserts the importance of critical thinking around self-disclosure, emphasising that, whilst there is no clear ‘right and wrong’, what is necessary in professional practice is its carefully considered and purposeful use. Discussion using evidence and clinical examples is framed within a model that may be used to aid reflection on the use of self-disclosure within the therapeutic relationship. Self-disclosure is a grey area, though its use in mental health nursing can be invaluable.

Citation

WARRENDER, D. 2020. Self-disclosure: the invaluable grey area. British journal of mental health nursing [online], 9(2), pages 9-15. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjmh.2019.0010

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 31, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Feb 7, 2020
• Publication Date: Feb 2, 2020
• Deposit Date: Dec 6, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 3, 2020
• Journal: British journal of mental health nursing
• Print ISSN: 2049-5919
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-496X
• Publisher: Mark Allen Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 9-15
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjmh.2019.0010
• Keywords: Self-disclosure; Therapeutic use of self; Therapeutic relationships; Mental health nursing; Clinical supervision; Reflection
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/804867