title: Therapist self-disclosure and the therapeutic alliance in the treatment of eating problems.
abstract: Evidence is mixed regarding the potential utility of therapist self-disclosure. The current study modelled relationships between perceived helpfulness of therapist self-disclosures, therapeutic alliance, patient non-disclosure, and shame in participants (n = 120; 95% women) with a history of eating problems. Serial multiple mediator analyses provided support for a putative model connecting the perceived helpfulness of therapist self-disclosures with current eating disorder symptom severity through therapeutic alliance, patient self-disclosure, and shame. The analyses presented provide support for the contention that therapist self-disclosure, if perceived as helpful, might strengthen the therapeutic alliance. A strong therapeutic alliance, in turn, has the potential to promote patient disclosure and reduce shame and eating problems.
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology , University of Surrey , Guildford , UK.
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Simonds
authors.affiliation: b Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust , City and Hackney Primary Care Psychotherapy Consultation Service (PCPCS) , London , UK.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spokes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012650:Self Disclosure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult