( HS Nelson 096763 2026) Self of Therapist and Countertransference Bias, Boundaries, and the Ethics of Therapist Transparency
Tracking # 20-1390033
Course overview
This one-hour session examines the role of the therapists self in clinical practice, with a focus on countertransference, relational dynamics, and ethical self-disclosure. Participants will explore how personal values, relational history, and implicit biases influence the therapeutic relationship. The course differentiates helpful versus harmful self disclosure and outlines ethical considerations in the use of therapist transparency. Clinicians will identify emotional, somatic, and relational countertransference responses, including common patterns such as rescue fantasies, alignment bias, avoidance, and trauma triangle enactments. Through guided reflection and skills practice, participants will learn strategies for managing countertransference through supervision, consultation, and structured self-reflection. The course also integrates attachment and partner-selection dynamics to deepen understanding of how therapists own relational histories influence clinical work.
Subject areas
This course counts toward the state boards and subject areas below.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Certified Master Social Worker
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Florida Board of Psychology
Limited License Psychologist
Psychologist
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist
Licensed Independent Social Worker
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Social Worker
Marriage and Family Therapist
Registered Social Worker Assistant
Disclosure statements
Financial: Dr. Tammy Nelson maintains a private practice and is executive director and primary faculty at Integrated Sex Therapy Training Institute (ISTI) and has employment relationships with Daybreak University and the California Institute of Integral Studies. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc., and she additionally receives royalties from New Harbinger and Sounds True. She is a paid consultant for Evergreen Certifications. Dr. Nelson has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Tammy Nelson serves on the board of advisors for the World Association of Sex Coaches. She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association, American Association of Sex Educators, Sex Counselors, and Sex Therapists (AASECT), American Comprehensive Energy Psychology Association (ACEP), American Counseling Association, American Family Therapy Academy, American Family Therapy Association (AFTA), American Psychological Association (APA), Connecticut Counselors, Imago Relationships International Association of Professional and Certified Therapists, International Board of Sexologists, International Institute for Sexuality and Human Development, Nonfiction Authors Association, Society Scientific Study Sexuality (SSSS), and the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR).