https://app.ce-go.com/ethics-and-personal-loss-countertransference-and-self-disclosure-in-grief-support-18-01-2023-398

While historically psychology, counseling, and social work discouraged self-disclosure, in recent years researchers and clinicians have adopted a far more nuanced approach to the use of self-disclosure. Unfortunately, there still remains limited education and training around countertransference and self-disclosure in clinical practice. These topics are particularly important in grief practice and therapy, as clients often seek clinicians with a shared personal grief experience. The last 2.5 years have seen an increase in clients seeking grief support and an increase in the number of clinicians who have experienced personal loss and are navigating its impact in their professional work.

Through the lens of professional ethical standards and current research, this workshop will outline considerations for assessing the clinical value and appropriateness of self-disclosure through examination of context and content. It will review types of countertransference and the intersection between countertransference, self-disclosure, and personal loss, specifically in end-of-life and grief support. The session will provide clinicians with self-assessment tools to better identify countertransference in their client work. It will also offer concrete strategies to improve clinical competence when utilizing self-disclosure, monitoring the impact of disclosures, and responding to unintended or unexpected client reactions.