A client asks you a personal question, and you need to decide how to respond. 

Often we are taught to consider, “Will answering benefit the client and the work?” But this skips an essential step. Before we even consider this question, we first need to ask, “What does the answer to this question mean to a client?”

In this course, we’ll explore the nuances of self-disclosure, using the Code of Ethics as a guide. We'll also discuss how to balance boundaries with transparency. Then, we’ll use challenging case vignettes to build practice skills for recognizing and assessing self-disclosure moments & implementing ethical and client-centered responses.

Case Example Demonstrations: This course includes multiple case examples where the instructor, Rick Cresta, talks through a scenario and describes ways to assess and respond in the moment.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome!

    2. Our Plan

    1. Overview: Introduction to Self-Disclosure

    2. What is Self-Disclosure?

    3. Potential Benefits of Self-Disclosure

    4. Potential Risks of Self-Disclosure

    5. "Do You Have Kids?" (approximately 3.5 minutes)

    6. Self-Disclosure & The Code of Ethics

    7. Putting the Guidance of the Code Into Practice

    8. "Do You Smoke Pot?" (approx. 7 min.)

    1. Overview: How Self-Disclosure Shows Up in Practice

    2. Where Self-Disclosure Happens

    3. Our Digital Presence

    1. Overview: Practice Skills for Navigating Self-Disclosure

    2. Practice Skills for Assessing Disclosure in the Moment

    3. Practice Skills for Constructing Ethical Responses

    4. Practice Skills for Responding in the Moment

    5. "Do You Like To Read?" (7.5 min.)

    1. Overview: Exploring the Meaning Behind the Question

    2. The Role of Assessment

    3. "Do You Think You'll Have Kids Someday?" (approx. 9 min.)

    4. A Question About Religion

    5. Meaning-Making, Identity, & Power Dynamics

    6. Questions About Trust

    1. Overview: Populations Where Disclosure May Sometimes Vary

    2. Working with Veterans

    3. Working with Clients with Substance Use Disorders

    4. Working with LGBTQ+ Clients

    5. Repairing After Mistakes

    6. A Conversation About Missteps (approx. 6.5 min.)

About this course

  • $29.00
  • 2 CE Credits (Ethics)
  • Online, self-paced, noninteractive course
  • Available in the U.S. and Canada

Meet the Instructor

Rick Cresta, LICSW, has over 30 years of experience as a clinical social worker, focusing on adolescents and young adults with substance use disorders, gang involvement, unresolved grief, and unhealthy relationships. Cresta is a Senior Lecturer at Boston University School of Social Work. Additionally, he maintains a private clinical social work practice, providing psychotherapy to adolescents and their families as well as training and consultation services.

Course Details

Credits: This course offers 2 ethics continuing education credits. Learn more

Cost: $29

Format: This is an online, self-paced, noninteractive course that includes reading and recorded videos (asynchronous course).

Registration: To register for this course, click the "Enroll" button. This course is self-paced, so you can join at any time after completing your registration and payment.

Practice Level: Beginner

Target Audience: Clinical social workers who are seeking additional knowledge and practice skills for navigating self-disclosure with clients.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, you will learn to:

  • Define self-disclosure

  • Describe how self-disclosure ties to ethical practice

  • Compare and contrast practice responses, related to self-disclosure, to meet client needs and ethical responsibilities

Continuing Education Credits

Continuing education credits are offered to social workers in all U.S. states except New York and across all Canadian provinces. If your state uses CE Broker, you will need to manually upload your certificate of credit. Learn more

Additional Information

Refund & Cancellation Policy: GetPractice will fully refund requests from learners who have not completed a course. If a learner has completed all requirements of a course and received their certificate of completion, they are no longer eligible for a refund. 

Accessibility: Please email [email protected] to discuss any questions or requests regarding accessibility & accommodations. 

System Requirements: This course is hosted on the GetPractice site. To complete the course and all required course materials, learners will login to the GetPractice course site. Learners will need a computer or smartphone and an internet connection to complete the course.

Course Completion Requirements: To complete the course and receive their certificate of credit, learners will complete all online lessons in the course, a posttest (a passing score of 80% is required, learners can retake the test if needed), and a course evaluation. Once these components are successfully completed, the learner’s certificate of credit will be available immediately on the course page and in their learner account.

Availability Notice: This course is currently available to customers located in the United States and Canada.

Questions or Concerns: Please reach out to [email protected] 

Course Creation Date: 10/07/2026

GetPractice LLC, provider #2517, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period:11/14/25-11/14/26. Social workers completing this course receive 2 ethics continuing education credits.

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