Self-disclosure by the social worker during treatment with a client can be:

• A. It should never be used
• B. It should always be used
• C. It undermines boundaries
• D. It can be effective when appropriately used to provide a different perspective on a problem

Answer: (D)

Self-disclosure by the social worker can be a useful therapeutic tool when it is purposeful, brief, and made with the client’s goals in mind. It can offer a different perspective on a problem, model coping strategies, and help normalize the client’s experiences, which can reduce isolation and build trust. The key is to use disclosure only if it clearly benefits the client and remains tightly focused on the client's needs, not the worker's needs or ego. It should be careful not to shift the focus away from the client, blur boundaries, or create dependence.

If used with the sole aim of sharing the worker’s personal experiences or too frequently, disclosure risks boundary violations and can shift the power dynamic in the session. Rigidly saying it should never be used or always used ignores the nuanced reality that timing, relevance, and intent determine usefulness. Used thoughtfully, it can be effective; used poorly, it can undermine the therapeutic relationship.