By "self-disclosure" the authors apparently mean not only the sharing of personal data but also any revelation by the therapist to the patient of opinions and emotional reactions. The literature is reviewed and is thought to demonstrate that "self-disclosure per se is of little value in promoting openness by patients or in ameliorating treatment results." The authors set forth parameters to help the psychotherapist judge rationally when and when not to use self-disclosure in therapy with adolescents. They particularly caution that the therapist guard against using self-disclosures as a vehicle for acting out countertransference feelings and that it is best, before making any self-disclosures, to wait until "a clear picture of the transference-countertransference situation and the therapeutic alliance becomes discernible."