Therapist self-disclosure and metacognition in the MERIT framework

This chapter examines the integration of therapist self-disclosure (TSD) within the Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) framework, focusing on its role in enhancing a patient’s metacognitive capacity. The authors distinguish between immediate TSD (immediacy), which addresses the here-and-now of the therapeutic relationship, and non-immediate TSD, involving the revelation of past personal experiences. A core proposal of this chapter is the metacognitive scaffolding of TSD, where the complexity of the disclosure is intentionally calibrated to slightly exceed the patient's current level of self-reflectivity to promote growth within the Zone of Proximal Development. The model emphasizes rigorous metacognitive monitoring and control to ensure that disclosures are brief, timed appropriately, and strictly serve the client's clinical agenda rather than the therapist's needs. Through clinical illustration, the authors demonstrate how scaffolded TSD can assist patients with severe mental illness in developing more coherent self-narratives and improved metacognitive mastery.