I've Got a Blank Slate, baby, and I'll Write Your Name

Hot Take: Self-disclosure is necessary and therapeutically beneficial in the therapy room.

This week, Roland and Hannah are joined by psychologist Dr. Chloe Goldbach for a candid conversation on one of the most debated topics in the therapy world: therapist self-disclosure. Should clinicians be a “blank slate”? Or does sharing parts of ourselves actually make the therapeutic relationship stronger?

Together, they explore how self-disclosure can foster trust, model vulnerability, and create more authentic connections — especially in communities where shared experience matters. From challenging the rigid “never self-disclose” lessons taught in grad school to unpacking how culture, identity, and power shape disclosure, this conversation blends clinical insight with real-world nuance.

Dr. Goldbach brings a feminist therapy lens to the table, emphasizing how therapist humanity isn’t a flaw — it’s a strength. Whether you’re a clinician rethinking your stance or someone curious about what happens behind the therapy room door, this episode invites you to consider how showing up as yourself can be a radical act of care.

https://lgbtcounselingdmv.com/dr-chlo%C3%AB-goldbach%2C-ph-d

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/chloe-goldbach-arlington-va/1317255

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheChloeConnection (Also on IG!)

https://www.amazon.com/Counseling-Gender-Expansive-World-Resources-Therapeutic-ebook/dp/B0BJ172NDN