What might be a risk of excessive self-disclosure in counseling?

Loss of focus on the client's needs is a significant risk associated with excessive self-disclosure in counseling. While sharing personal experiences can sometimes create a connection or make a counselor seem more relatable, it can also shift the emphasis away from the client's struggles and objectives. This shift can detract from the primary purpose of counseling, which is to address the client's issues and facilitate their growth and healing. When a counselor shares too much about their own life, it may lead the client to feel pressured to respond or to focus on the counselor's experiences rather than their own, which can undermine the effectiveness of the therapeutic process. Thus, maintaining the client-centered focus is crucial for successful outcomes in counseling.