What is the primary purpose of feminist self-disclosure in therapy?

• A. To equalize the therapeutic relationship and provide modeling.
• B. To reveal the therapist's personal history to override the client.
• C. To shift focus away from the client.
• D. To fulfill confidentiality obligations.

Answer: (A)

Balancing power in the therapeutic relationship and offering modeling through purposeful self-disclosure. In feminist therapy, the therapist may share brief, relevant personal experiences to show that they are a real, fallible human who has navigated similar struggles. This helps equalize the relationship, reducing hierarchical distance, and it provides a concrete example of coping, resilience, or how to engage with social justice issues. The disclosure is deliberate and tied to the client’s concerns, aimed at empowering the client and validating their experiences, not at centering the therapist or shifting attention away from the client's needs. It’s not about revealing personal history to override the client, nor about shifting focus away from the client, and it has nothing to do with confidentiality obligations.