Deliberate lying, self-deception, and secret-keeping are prevalent in the therapeutic context, with research indicating that a high percentage of clients report lying to their therapists. Clients often lie to appear healthier, cope with shame, or deny their realities. This behavior significantly hampers therapeutic effectiveness. Honesty, both with oneself and one’s therapist, is vital for progress in therapy and demands a foundational level of self-awareness and trust. Understanding the intricacies behind why clients lie helps therapists navigate these challenges.
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. -Thomas Jefferson
The truth is that being honest-first with yourself and then with someone else-is hard. It takes a great deal of self-awareness, trust, and self-esteem to be radically honest with a therapist.
Sometimes clients deliberately lie by making false statements with the intention of making their therapist believe they're true.
Other times, clients self-deceptively lie, meaning they're unable to admit the truth to themselves, so they end up inadvertently lying to their therapist.
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