Which statement reflects the self-disclosure standard in coaching practice?

Which statement reflects the self-disclosure standard in coaching practice?

• A. Extended personal stories are encouraged
• B. Disclosure should be brief, relevant, and in service of the client
• C. Disclosure is never allowed
• D. Disclosure should focus on the coach's experience

Answer: (B)

Self-disclosure in coaching should be used sparingly and purposefully to serve the client's goals. When a coach shares something about themselves, it should be brief, relevant to the client's situation, and designed to advance the client’s progress—not to satisfy the coach’s need to talk about themselves. This helps build trust and rapport without shifting the focus away from the client or turning the session into the coach’s story. Extended personal narratives or making disclosure the centerpiece shifts attention away from the client and can blur boundaries, which is not appropriate. Brief disclosures that illuminate a point, normalize experiences, or model a skill can be helpful when they serve the client. With this in mind, the statement that best reflects the standard is that disclosure should be brief, relevant, and in service of the client.

Self-disclosure in coaching should be used sparingly and purposefully to serve the client's goals. When a coach shares something about themselves, it should be brief, relevant to the client's situation, and designed to advance the client’s progress—not to satisfy the coach’s need to talk about themselves. This helps build trust and rapport without shifting the focus away from the client or turning the session into the coach’s story. Extended personal narratives or making disclosure the centerpiece shifts attention away from the client and can blur boundaries, which is not appropriate. Brief disclosures that illuminate a point, normalize experiences, or model a skill can be helpful when they serve the client. With this in mind, the statement that best reflects the standard is that disclosure should be brief, relevant, and in service of the client.