I think for at least some of us, it helps build trust when we know the thereapist a bit more personally. Like... I have a hard time sharing how I feel about things. Facts I can tell anyone really. But how I feel about those facts? That's really hard for me.

I don't trust my T and I don't really trust anyone. So.. knowing at least a few things about him makes it easier to expose myself that much to him, because it at least knocks him back down to "normal guy" instead of "guy who has this much power over me" -- even though I know he doesn't have any actual power, he does get to see me when I'm a lot more vulnerable than normal.

So for me? It totally helps knowing that he was a total jerkface with a joke he played on my friend/coworker! From it, I know that yeah, he really CAN be that idiotic in real life and not just with me At the same time, I've heard his wife is the nicest person ever so he really can't ACTUALLY be a jerk or she wouldn't be with him. I guess for me, that helps a lot. When I get annoyed with him I at least know that he hasn't done anything as utterly stupid as the joke he pulled on my friend!