What is Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS) as a Therapist?

The therapeutic relationship is unlike any other interpersonal or professional relationship. The connection between the therapist and the client is undoubtedly a unique one. One of the things that makes this relationship so unique is the one-sided divulging of information. In therapy, the client shares sensitive, intimate, and often painful personal details about their lives with the therapist. The therapist aims to learn everything they can about the client. Throughout the therapeutic journey, the therapist gets to know the client well. This profound knowing and understanding of the client allows the therapist to create a therapeutic experience that is informed by the client’s needs. The therapist is devoted to creating a space for the client in which they feel heard, seen, cared for, and known. Therapy is often the one place a client has that is all about them.

The therapist, on the other hand, typically shares very little about themselves in comparison. This can sometimes lead to feelings of confusion and tension for the client, who may be uncomfortable with the one-sided nature of therapy. The client may want to know more about their therapist. The therapist may want to share more about themselves as well, especially when the client and therapist share a strong bond. Why, then, does the therapist refrain from over-engaging in self-disclosure?

What do I mean when I say “therapist self-disclosure?” Typically, self-disclosure by the therapist is when the therapist shares information about themselves with the client that could be considered too personal, inappropriate, and unnecessary. The therapist is encouraged, and even obligated, to share information that will inform the therapeutic process, such as their education, training, years in practice, therapeutic approach, relevant experience, use of supervision, populations served, areas of expertise, limitations, and areas for growth. This can also include the use of transparency and humility, such as taking accountability for past mistakes and being forthcoming about the limitations to their knowledge. Here is what that might look like: “I was reflecting on how our last session ended and I wanted to apologize for what I said. I realized it may have come across as judgmental. I certainly did not mean it that way, and, I can see how my words might have been harmful,” and, “I don’t know enough about that off the top of my head. I will consult with a colleague about this issue to learn more about this.” These are examples of appropriate, therapeutically relevant, and professional self-disclosure. Examples of self-disclosures that might be too personal and inappropriate include: the therapist’s personal life experiences, trauma, personal opinions, religious beliefs, certain political beliefs, sexual preferences, and so on. Examples of self-disclosures that might be unnecessary include: what the therapist ate for dinner last night, what kind of car they drive, their favourite colour, how many countries they’ve travelled to, which insects they hate the most, and so on. This last category is not inherently harmful, and can even be used as a way to build rapport with the client, if the client is interested in hearing these details. The therapist should not assume that the client wants to hear these details, as often, they do not.

There are many good reasons why the therapist does not typically engage in personal self-disclose to their clients. It is not because the therapist is rigid, cold, or disinterested. This is because there are standards of practice set in place by regulatory bodies, such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). These standards discourage therapists from sharing unnecessary personal information with their clients. This is to maintain ethical boundaries and the therapeutic distance necessary for effective, ethical, and responsible therapy. In therapy, it is important that the therapist can just be the therapist and the client can just be the client. When a therapist shares too many personal details with their client, this can often shift the dynamic in a way that can be unhelpful, and even harmful, for the client. In instances where therapists share too many personal details about their own lives, the client can often feel like their therapy is no longer about them. The client can often feel like the therapist is putting them in a caring position. This is not therapeutic. When the therapist shares too many personal details, the client can often feel burdened by these inappropriate and excessive self-disclosures. Additionally, when a therapist engages in excessive self-disclosure, the therapeutic session can turn into friendly chit-chat. While there is room for some friendly chit-chat in the therapy room, the therapist must ensure that this does not take up a significant portion of the therapy session. Too much of this can leave the client feeling like they are paying to chat with a friend, rather than to receive mental health services.

In the field of psychotherapy, there is a term called Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS). This is the idea that the therapist must practice therapy with the awareness that the way they relate to the client can either cause harm or enhance the therapeutic experience. Therapists must remain aware of the power they hold and be intentional about how they show up as the therapist. Regardless of the therapeutic approach, there is a power deferential between the client and the therapist. Even a therapist who’s approach is casual, client-led, and non-authoritative is in a position of power over their clients. SEUS does not mean that a therapist must mask themselves in order to be a good therapist. Our personality, emotions, and beliefs will show up with our clients. SEUS dictates how we as therapists manage this in a way that is productive rather than harmful. SEUS requires the therapist to do their own work, be aware of their own biases, their own triggers, and to explore what comes up for us (in our own therapy or supervision) in our role as the therapist. As therapists, our work on ourselves must be ongoing to ensure safe and ethical practice.

Stay tuned for part 2!