Self-disclosure refers to intentional behaviors by the therapist who makes a treatment decision to share personal information with the client or uses information that has been revealed more or less spontaneously to enhance client growth. In both individual and group treatment, therapist disclosures may offer the adult survivor of child sexual abuse several advantages: (1) disclosures that reveal the therapist's own feelings about client sexual victimization, such as anger and sadness, affirm client feelings and encourage exploration of relevant emotional reactions; (2) disclosures about significant life experiences assist clients in developing a more accurate view of themselves; and (3) therapist genuineness validates client sense of worth. Therapist use of self-disclosure in the group setting varies depending on the type and purpose of the group. Broad types of self-disclosing behaviors are distinguished (affective reactions, life experiences, and life outside the professional role), and risks of self-disclosure are noted. 47 references