The intricate intimacies of psychotherapy and questions of self-disclosure

Abstract

This paper addresses the understanding of the analyst's/therapist's vulnerabilities within the therapeutic process and the intimate potential of the therapeutic relationship. The author stresses the awareness of the therapist's personal vulnerabilities in addition to the more common conceptualizations of countertransference. Case material is presented to illustrate the complex questions of self-disclosure and the intimate nature of the therapeutic endeavor when viewed from a relational perspective.

Keywords:

• Self-disclosure
• therapeutic intimacy
• therapist vulnerability