Question

In an effort to explore the many issues that can arise concerning a therapist’s values and how they affect the therapeutic process, please respond thoroughly to each of the following questions:

Do you think therapists should deliberately reveal their values to a client in therapy? If so, why do you believe this is important? If not, what potential difficulties might this cause for the client or the therapeutic process?

Answer 1

As a therapist, we should reveal our values to a client in therapy because all therapists are human beings, and as human beings, they have a personal value system of their own. Generally, a majority of the therapists, do not compromise with their own personal values in therapy. It is a myth that a counselor exposing their values will exclude a client. It is seen that the hidden values of a therapist are more imposing leading to the development of mistrust in the client and loss of his loyalty. Having transparency pertaining to the values of the therapist leads to the generation of trust and confidence and greater client loyalty