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Abstract

Self-disclosure is an oft-discussed concept in the practice of psychotherapy and comes with unique issues to consider when the therapist is also a person with lived experience. This chapter describes some of the literature written on the subject of self-disclosure and specifically how it relates to the psychiatric survivor-therapist dual identity. In a series of four essays, each of the coauthors describes situations in which they have disclosed their dual identity in clinical, academic, and other contexts. Although each of the authors demonstrates that self-disclosure can be affirming and a point of connection, they have experienced stigma and risks to professional credibility at times as well. The implications and factors to consider for therapists with lived experience will be described in this chapter.

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Adame, A.L., Morsey, M., Bassman, R., Yates, K. (2017). Self-Disclosure. In: Exploring Identities of Psychiatric Survivor Therapists. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58492-2_5

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