National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

What term describes when a counselor reveals personal information about their life to the client?

1. Self-disclosure

2. Transparency

3. Authenticity

4. Confession

The correct answer is: Self-disclosure

The term that describes when a counselor reveals personal information about their life to the client is self-disclosure. This practice can be an important tool in counseling, as it can help build rapport and trust between the counselor and the client. Through self-disclosure, a counselor shares relevant personal experiences or feelings that may help the client feel understood and less isolated in their challenges. Self-disclosure should be used cautiously and in a way that is therapeutic and beneficial to the client’s progress. The counselor's shared experiences should support the client’s therapeutic goals, rather than shifting the focus away from the client’s needs. This technique should always be thought out carefully, taking into account the potential impacts on the therapeutic relationship and the client’s well-being. Other terms such as transparency and authenticity relate to the counselor's openness and genuineness in the therapeutic relationship but do not specifically denote the act of divulging personal information. Confession typically implies admitting to wrongdoing and doesn’t capture the essence of sharing personal life details in a constructive therapeutic context.