Self-Disclosure in Therapy: To Share or Not to Share?

In the world of therapy, self-disclosure is a bit of a hot-button topic. Some therapists are fully against it. Others, like me, believe in it deeply.

Here’s my stance, and I know some professionals might not agree:
I am human. I help other humans. That is the bottom line.

So I’m going to do whatever I can to connect, support, and walk beside the people who come to me for help. And if I have lived through something similar to what a client is going through, I’m not going to keep that to myself.

Why Would I Stay Silent About Something That Could Help?

If I’ve experienced the crushing weight of a panic attack and found tools that helped me get through it, why wouldn’t I share that?

If I’ve survived the pain and exhaustion of being a cancer caregiver, or walked the difficult path of parenting a challenging child, why would I pretend I haven’t?

When we tell people to talk about mental health, but the professionals leading that charge keep quiet about their own experiences, that sends a mixed message.

Yes, self-disclosure makes you vulnerable. Yes, there’s a chance of being judged.
But the clients I work with face that exact same fear every time they show up to session and speak their truth. They let me into their lives at their lowest, rawest, and most uncertain moments.

The very least I can do is meet them with my whole, honest self in return.

Therapists Are Not Superhuman

I have no interest in sitting across from someone and pretending I’ve got it all figured out. That kind of dynamic—where the therapist is placed on a pedestal—can feel incredibly isolating to someone who is already struggling.

I have struggled. I have had panic attacks. I have sat in the dark, unsure of what to do next. I have cried, feared, fought, and worked my way through seasons of life that brought me to my knees.

And now, all of those experiences serve a purpose.
They give me the ability to hold someone’s hand and say, "I get it. Here’s what helped me. Let’s figure out what can help you."

When Done Thoughtfully, Self-Disclosure Builds Trust

Of course, self-disclosure in therapy isn’t about turning the session into my story. It’s not about centering myself. It’s about creating safety, connection, and hope.

Used carefully and with intention, self-disclosure lets clients know they’re not alone.
It says, “You’re not broken. You’re not the only one who’s ever felt this way. And there’s a way through this.”

That message matters.

This Work Is Deeply Personal

My clients mean more to me than just checking in once a week and asking, "How are you feeling?"
They’re not just cases or appointments on a calendar. They are people I care about. People I want to support with every tool I have—both learned and lived.

And if a piece of my story can help them feel seen, understood, and capable of healing, I will absolutely share it.

Because I. Am. Human.

And being human is not a weakness in this work. It is the foundation of it.