Purpose: Oncology social workers are increasingly finding themselves diagnosed with or caring for a loved one with cancer. Self-disclosure may be useful for building a therapeutic alliance. Yet, practice-informed guidelines for psychosocial oncology providers do not exist.
Research approach: Twenty-three psychosocial oncology providers diagnosed with and/or providing care to someone with cancer completed semi-structured interviews eliciting attitudes and utilization regarding self-disclosure.
Methodological approach: Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using grounded theory's constant comparative method, researchers conducted open and theoretical coding.
Findings: Participants expressed consensus in defining, and reported a range of evolving practices regarding, self-disclosure. Recommendations for responsible self-disclosure included self-awareness, ongoing assessment, supervision, and enhanced educational programming.
Interpretation and implication: Therapeutic tools must evolve as core features of psychosocial oncology care. A flexible and context-specific framework for clinician self-disclosure related to personal experiences with cancer can guide oncology social work practice.
Keywords: caregiving; oncology; self-disclosure; social work education; supervision; therapeutic alliance.