What do professionals disclose about themselves in the therapeutic relationship with people with schizophrenia?

Introduction. - Health professionals' self-disclosure is a common practice, but there is still controversy regarding when it is appropriate, what the extent and content of self-disclosure should be, and what the clinical consequences are. Objectives. - This qualitative study aimed to investigate self disclosure in health and social-care professionals. Method. - Thirteen in-depth interviews with group leaders of an intervention to improve pleasure and motivation in schizophrenia. The interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. Results. - Professionals describe their personal disclosures as authentic sharing of lived experiences. From a content point of view, professionals select simple events from their personal or professional life, which they find easy to share with patients, in a group. The selection criteria for these experiences mainly concern the therapeutic value and are formulated in terms of relevance of the content and the usefulness envisioned for the patient as well as authenticity. Self-disclosure generates a redefinition of the places in interaction and a more egalitarian relationship. Conclusion. - Self-disclosure is found to be a tool for developing and maintaining the therapeutic relationship. Further studies of the phenomenon would be useful to design training and supervision for professionals. (C) 2021 Societe Francaise de Psychologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Automated summary

This qualitative study investigates self-disclosure in health and social-care professionals. The results indicate that professionals see self-disclosure as a way to authentically share lived experiences, selecting simple events from their personal or professional life to share with patients. Self-disclosure helps redefine positions in interaction and establishes a more egalitarian relationship.