title: The benefits and risks of patient self-disclosure in the psychotherapy of women with a history of childhood sexual abuse.
abstract: This article explores the potential benefits and risks of patient self-disclosure in the psychotherapy of adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Two primary questions frame this discussion: How are the primary benefits of patient disclosure influenced by CSA status, and what are the specific risks associated with each of these benefits in the case of CSA patients? The authors examine these questions by evaluating, from the perspective of clinical work with CSA patients, each of 6 putative benefits of self-disclosure in psychotherapy: self-awareness and identity formation, intimacy, validation and affirmation, differentiation, authenticity, and catharsis. The authors suggest that although clinical work with CSA survivors often necessitates encouraging these patients to discuss traumatic material, such disclosure may include substantial costs as well as benefits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).
authors: Program in Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University.
authors: Barry A
authors: BA
authors: Farber
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Khurgin-Bott
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Feldman