חשיפה עצמית יזומה של המטפל: תרומתם של סגנון ההתקשרות של המטפל, מידת הנירוטיציזם והמוחצנות באישיותו ומאפייני המטופל

Background: Therapist self-disclosure (TSD) includes revealing biographical facts, feelings, and thoughts about the patient or the therapeutic relationship. It is known as an intimate communication medium, and it is assumed that the use of this method will vary, depending on interpersonal differences. Despite the vast literature on TSD, there is sparse research regarding forensic populations. Aims: The current study examined the correlation between TSD, the therapist's attachment style, and degrees of neuroticism and extraversion in their personality with the "type" of patients they treat. Methods: 181 therapists working with victims of sexual crimes and sexual perpetrators or with patients not classified via these populations completed four questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, an attachment questionnaire, a personality questionnaire, and a TSD questionnaire. Main findings: A negative correlation was found between neuroticism and TSD. Contrary to the hypothesis, extraversion did not correlate with TSD. Avoidant attachment was negatively related to TSD. No differences in the extent of TSD by type of patient were found. Significant gender differences were found regarding the types of TSD and the factors influencing the decision to use the method of TSD: Male therapists tended to reveal more insights and personal challenge, and they challenged thinking patterns more than females did. A higher percentage of women therapists reported that gender and patient attributes contributed to their decision to use TSD.Conclusions and implications for practice: In cases where therapists advocate the use of self-disclosure but avoid it because of their difficulties, supervision is important in order to raise their self-awareness and help expand their knowledge of TSD. It would be worthwhile for future studies to examine therapists’ perceptions of TSD and their actual usage of it.