An Ethical Approach to Knowing What to say, When to Say it, and How to Say it
The use of self-disclosure in therapeutic relationships is a nuanced aspect of clinical practice that can significantly impact the connection between clinicians and clients. While certain personal details about therapists are inherently evident, the decision of when and how much to disclose remains a complex challenge for many practitioners. When clients inquire about the personal lives of their therapists, it often poses a dilemma regarding the appropriate response, with potential implications for the perceived professionalism of the clinician.
This interactive training, facilitated by Tonya Logan, Founder and CEO of Kayla’s Village, aims to address this challenge by using her own personal narrative as a case study. By sharing her experiences, Logan intends to provide a practical framework for clinicians to navigate the delicate balance of self-disclosure in their therapeutic interactions. The training encourages participants to approach client inquiries as opportunities for connection and growth, framing challenges within a positive and strength-based context.
Participants will be guided to develop a deeper understanding of how seemingly threatening questions from clients can be reframed to avoid prejudicial responses. The workshop emphasizes viewing these moments as chances to model effective communication and disclosure. By doing so, clinicians can contribute to the personal and professional growth of their clients, fostering an environment that encourages openness and understanding. Ultimately, this training seeks to empower clinicians with the skills to explain challenging information in a constructive manner, promoting a forward-moving, growth-oriented therapeutic relationship.
https://nefesh.org/workshops/SelfDisclo422232/viewFREE WEBINAR
Self-Disclosure:
An Ethical Approach to Knowing What to say, When to Say it, and How to Say it
Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1:00 PM EST - 4:00 PM EST
Presenter: Tonya Logan, LCSW-C, LICSW, Founder and CEO, Kayla’s Village
Course Length: 3 Hours
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze whether sharing information from their past or present, personally or professionally, is clinically appropriate, including critical analysis of various theoretical models and ethical considerations in self-disclosure decisions.
- Assess and incorporate the clinical use of challenging information in order to increase rapport with clients while strengthening the therapeutic relationship, including the examination of complex case studies and research on the impact of self-disclosure in therapeutic relationships.
- Demonstrate to clients how to use one’s challenges to move forward rather than hamper growth, including the development of advanced communication skills and strategies to model growth-oriented responses to challenges in therapy
This workshop Offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits
The use of self-disclosure in therapeutic relationships is a nuanced aspect of clinical practice that can significantly impact the connection between clinicians and clients. While certain personal details about therapists are inherently evident, the decision of when and how much to disclose remains a complex challenge for many practitioners. When clients inquire about the personal lives of their therapists, it often poses a dilemma regarding the appropriate response, with potential implications for the perceived professionalism of the clinician.
This interactive training, facilitated by Tonya Logan, Founder and CEO of Kayla’s Village, aims to address this challenge by using her own personal narrative as a case study. By sharing her experiences, Logan intends to provide a practical framework for clinicians to navigate the delicate balance of self-disclosure in their therapeutic interactions. The training encourages participants to approach client inquiries as opportunities for connection and growth, framing challenges within a positive and strength-based context.
Participants will be guided to develop a deeper understanding of how seemingly threatening questions from clients can be reframed to avoid prejudicial responses. The workshop emphasizes viewing these moments as chances to model effective communication and disclosure. By doing so, clinicians can contribute to the personal and professional growth of their clients, fostering an environment that encourages openness and understanding. Ultimately, this training seeks to empower clinicians with the skills to explain challenging information in a constructive manner, promoting a forward-moving, growth-oriented therapeutic relationship.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze whether sharing information from their past or present, personally or professionally, is clinically appropriate, including critical analysis of various theoretical models and ethical considerations in self-disclosure decisions.
- Assess and incorporate the clinical use of challenging information in order to increase rapport with clients while strengthening the therapeutic relationship, including the examination of complex case studies and research on the impact of self-disclosure in therapeutic relationships.
- Demonstrate to clients how to use one’s challenges to move forward rather than hamper growth, including the development of advanced communication skills and strategies to model growth-oriented responses to challenges in therapy
Agenda:
20 minutes Classifying Information and Threats
Low disclosure
Middle disclosure
High disclosure
15 minutes Historical Perspective
Freud’s Approach
Humanist Movement
Feminist Movement
12-Step Programs
Reality TV
10 minutes Johari Window
Open Area
Hidden Area
Blind Area
Unknown Area
30 minutes Perception vs. Prejudice
Examples of reframing negativity into positivity
Discussion of prejudice as related to diagnoses
Highlighting perceptions and prejudice in family clutter example
30 minutes Reframing
We must focus to see strengths
45 minutes Types of Disclosure
Deliberate Disclosing
Sharing a secret
Unavoidable disclosures
Therapeutic disclosure
Medical disclosure
Social disclosure
Accidental disclosure
Disclosure at work
30 minutes Scenarios
Susan
Jessica
Client Googled therapist
This presentation is open to:
- Social Workers
- Professional Counselors
- Therapists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
- Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
- Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
- New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
- Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
- Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
- Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives
Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
CE You! maintains responsibility for this program. - Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
- Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
- Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
- NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.