This clinical skill occurs when a clinician shares something about him/herself for the benefit of the client.

• A. Confrontation
• B. Self-Disclosure
• C. Immediacy
• D. Exploring Alternatives

Answer: (B)

Self-disclosure is when a clinician shares something about themselves with the client to benefit the client’s progress. It can humanize the therapist, reduce distance, and model ways of coping or processing experiences when it’s brief, relevant, and purposefully tied to the client’s goals. This item fits best because it emphasizes sharing personal information for the client’s benefit rather than addressing the client’s behavior directly, pursuing the therapy relationship in the moment, or helping the client weigh options. Confrontation focuses on challenging the client, immediacy on the therapist–client relationship in the moment, and exploring alternatives on helping the client consider different paths; none describe sharing personal material to aid the client in the same direct, goal-oriented way. Use self-disclosure cautiously: keep it brief, relevant, and centered on the client, and avoid shifting focus to the therapist or overstepping professional boundaries.