Therapists' Experience of Shifts in the Therapeutic Alliance Following Intentional Personal Self Disclosure

I am looking for qualified Counsellors or Psychotherapists who have self-disclosed to their clients to participate in my research study considering how therapists experience shift in the therapeutic alliance with their clients following intentional self-disclosure of a personal nature.

While much has been written about the wisdom or otherwise of self disclosing as a therapist, much less has been written about how the therapist internalises these experiences after the event, and how this can impact the therapeutic relationship.

This research project forms part of my Masters in Professional Counselling at Waverley Abbey College.

Your involvement would consist of one semi-structured interview of approximately 60 minutes in length, conducted online via Microsoft Teams. In this interview you will be invited to reflect deeply on your own processes, and any perceived shifts in the therapeutic alliance following this exchange. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed by the researcher. All information is pseudonymised and kept secure in line with Waverley Abbey College and BACP research ethics policies. This research has been reviewed and granted ethical approval by the Waverley Abbey College Research Ethics Committee. No payment is offered. Participation is entirely voluntary and participants have the right to withdraw at any time.

This is a great opportunity to reflect, contribute to research, and broaden personal and professional understanding of this complex therapeutic phenomenon.

Please do register your interest if you fulfil the following inclusion criterion:

- Qualified to Level 7 or above

- In supervised clinical practice for 5+ years

- UK based, and registered with a professional body, e.g. BACP, UKCP, ACC etc

- Working at relational depth, medium to long term with clients

- Experience of self-disclosure of a personal nature in a session with a client

- Ability to deeply reflect on own processes, and any shifts in the therapeutic alliance following this exchange

For more information, please contact me, Emily Ward: emily.ward@waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk

You can view the flyer here and the participant information sheet here.