OBLIGATED CLINICIAN SELF-DISCLOSURE - ONE THERAPISTS INTERVENTIONS FOLLOWING A FAMILY MEMBERS PUBLICIZED MURDER

This article describes a family therapist's management of the sudden c ollision between professional and personal boundaries following the pu blicized murder of her spouse. Reasons are offered to explain why it i s becoming difficult for all clinicians to control the process of self -disclosure in therapy. Strategies used to meet the demands of affirmi ng professional distance while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness a re described. Brief recommendations are proposed for therapists in gro up, medical, rural, inpatient, and underserved settings. It is hoped t hat this case study will generate further discussion and assist health care providers who may face this challenge in the future.