Does CBT/Counselling encourage you to talk to people outside of the session about what you’ve told them?

[ElizabethS22]

Hi,

Sorry this is going to be quite a vague question as don’t want to give away details.

If you’re having CBT and something you talk about involves a family member something that you’re keeping from them. Something life changing would they encourage you to tell that person? The thing it is does make a difference to the way I feel and affects me everyday as in it’s always there in the back of my mind.
Would I need to tell the family member this in order for me to be able to progress and feel better emotionally? Is that something they would encourage?

Be really grateful if anyone can help.
Thank you

Not necessarily. You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with. A therapist might encourage a course of action but CBT should be collaborative. You'd discuss what behaviours were helpful, unhelpful. What could you do more or less of to make you feel better. You'd ideally come to understand the origins of why you feel as you do. You'd hopefully explore boundaries and think what was was appropriate to your situation.

I would add that if risk to yourself or others is discussed then the therapist may be bound to act e.g you disclosed a situation of abuse towards children or vulnerable.

Thanks for your reply.
It’s reassuring to know it isn’t always part of the process.
It is nothing at all like the examples you have given thank goodness!!