Being Public / Transparent Process — Collaborative Learning Conversations

The therapist makes their inner thinking process visible: shares their thoughts, doubts, hypotheses — out loud, transparently, in the form of suggestions rather than judgments. This is the opposite of the "impenetrable expert". For Anderson, the therapist must be "readable" by the client. Being public is used in two situations: when discussing professional information (referrals, reports, consultations) and when the therapist has significant divergences with the client in values or goals. Such transparency strengthens equality in the relationship.

Step-by-step guide

Notice that you have a thought, hypothesis, or reaction that is influencing the conversation
Decide to share it — not to convince the client, but for the sake of honesty
Phrase it as a suggestion: "I had a thought. I am not sure how accurate it is for you."
Invite the client to react: accept, dispute, ignore
If it concerns documentation or other professionals — show the client the records, explain what is being communicated and to whom

When to use

When a judgment arises in the head that gets in the way of listening
When the client clearly senses that the therapist is thinking something but not saying it
With significant ethical or value disagreements
When discussing reports, referrals, consultations with colleagues

Key phrases

I want to share a thought that came to me — not as a statement, just as something that arose. I am curious what you think about it.

I noticed that I started thinking in one direction. I want to be honest with you about it.

Follow-up questions

Here is what I wrote in my notes — see if it accurately reflects what you were saying.

Does this match how you yourself see it?

What in this is true, and what is not?

Alternative phrasings

I am not sure I am thinking correctly — but here is what is happening inside me as I listen to you.

May I share what I am noticing right now?

Warnings

⚠️ Being public is not self-disclosure in the personal sense, not telling about your own life
⚠️ Share only what is relevant to the client, not to the therapist's personal experience
⚠️ Being public must not be used to push your own view under the guise of "honesty"

Source: Anderson, H. 1997; Anderson, H. & Gehart, D. 2007