I think the answer is going to vary depending on the client. Some clients really want to know nothing about their T; for them, it might not be good to hear too much. They seem to really need that separateness. Other clients have Ts who self disclose a lot and it seems to work for them--helps draw them closer, learn from the T's modeling how to deal with things through his sharing his own experiences. Self disclosure can help aid in a feeling of reciprocity for some clients. For others, it can make them feel like they know "too much" and like it is not their business or role to hear about the T, like time is being diverted from their own troubles, or that they are being asked to take care of their T.

WP, it sounds like you are feeling like your T has disclosed too much, and that it has not been completely helpful. To me, that says that your T has indeed been disclosing too much for you. Is that irreparable damage? Can you talk to him about how you feel? Do you think he would be willing to dial back his disclosures if he knew they were affecting you negatively?

My T disclosed something once that really affected me strongly, and I did not even know it for a long time. When I finally realized it, we processed it together and he had to do some repair work. I explored why his disclosure had that effect on me, and he got to correct some misaprensions I had about what he had said. That experience was a good one. There has been something else he has disclosed that I kind of wish he hadn't. But that hasn't effected things between us. We can't always get exactly what we want, and most of the time, my T is right on target. I wouldn't want to throw his self disclosure out completely for a blip here and there. That is just me, though.