Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process Practice-Based Skills, Second Edition

307

11.1.4 Functions of Self-Disclosure

As mentioned earlier, there are several reasons mental health counselors, genetic
counselors, and other human service professionals might disclose:

Enhances Social Influence

Like most other health-care professionals, genetic counselors appear to be more
human when they self-disclose; they may be regarded as more receptive, warm,
capable, and trustworthy (McCarthy Veach 2011 ; Paine et al. 2010 ). For example:

• “I have been working in this clinic more than 10 years.”


• Patients often ask about the pictures on a counselor’s desk. “Do you have chil-
  dren?” or “Are these your children?” The counselor acknowledges the question
  and reveals a small amount of information—the children’s ages, for example.


• Patient: “I’m worried about what these test results will do to my children.”
  Counselor: “I have children of my own and can understand why you feel that
  your decision also affects them.”


• “You look uncomfortable/anxious. I sometimes feel that way, too, when I have a
  medical appointment.”


• “I have a strong family history of heart disease, too. I’ve been working on chang-
  ing my diet and exercise, but it sure isn’t easy!”

Builds the Relationship

Self-disclosure can communicate your interest and concern, suggest you are genu-
ine, and imply that you trust the patient with the information you reveal about your-
self. Self-disclosure can strengthen the connection between you and the patient
(Simone et al. 1998 ; Ziv-Beiman 2013 ). For example:

Table 11.1 Self-disclosure levels of intimacy

Lower intimacy Higher intimacy

Self-

disclosure

topic

Situationally

required

Beliefs Facts

about

yourself

Personal feelings

and perceptions

not generated by

the present

relationship

Expressions of

feelings

experienced in

the past toward

the patient

Self-

disclosure

example

I am a

second-year

genetic

counseling

student

I believe it’s

important to

take your time

making a

decision like

this

I am

married

I feel frustrated

when test results

are inconclusive

I was concerned

after talking with

you last week

11.1 Self-Disclosure