My T has used self disclosure quite a bit over the years that I've been seeing him and I don't believe it has affected his ability to be effective in my therapy at all. It has if anything made him seem more human to me; that in turn makes me feel safe and less vulnerable. He has touched very lightly on some of his own weaknesses which makes me able to open up with him about my "lurid" past and current problems. I couldn't imagine seeing someone who insisted on maintaining the blank facade - it would feel very threatening to me. As a real person, not just a therapist, he comes across as very warm, caring and compassionate, but most especially, real. And that's what I respond to.