Should You Ask Your Therapist If They Have Been In Therapy?

Hi there,

One thing I am frequently asked by my clients is my own experience with therapy.  In the clinical setting, we refer to opening up to our clients as self-disclosure.  Self-disclosure is something that can make or break the client-therapist relationship.  Which brings up another point...do you see those who seek services from you as clients or patients?  It is important that we address and acknowledge our own perceptions of those to whom we are providing services.  A whole other topic altogether that can be explored in therapy!

Self-disclosure can be a great tool and important therapeutic skill in certain situations.  So the simple answer is yes-you should.  Why?  It creates the opportunity to have a discussion about the role(s) of client/therapist and share common ground if you have a personal experience with it.  If you have not, odds are you know someone who has been to therapy. It is still a great time to discuss a positive interaction or success story with therapy.  It is not something therapists should feel uncomfortable discussing so do not shy away from the conversation.  

Just like my motto with anxiety--a little bit of self-disclosure is good, a lot is not so good!

​Dr. S