Issues and Risks of Unveiling

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Stakes and Risks of Self-Disclosure Yves Mairesse (p. 95) The psychotherapy of linking attempts to link introspection, emotions and the creating of meaning. In reference to this choice, the author places, and then comments upon, several indicators based on situations from his clinical practice. Awareness is a critical tool of the Gestalt therapist, but his motivation for self-disclosure must be watched carefully in respect to the moment chosen within the psychotherapy and the current risks for the client. We must be careful not to confuse self-disclosure with an acting out of counter-transference! The author then presents situations where he was able to notice contrasting effects of self-disclosure. He concludes that self-disclosure is not a tool: this term would be better reserved for moments of mutual openness, where each one accepts to learn from the other.