In "People Skills," Dr. Robert Bolton writes, "Self-disclosure is best when it is:

to the right person—often one who is capable of empathic understanding;

to the right degree—you may decide to disclose all or part of your experience;

for the right reasons—be sure your goal is to disclose yourself rather than to burden the other or "show off";

at the right time—in hours that are appropriate and when the other is not heavily burdened with his own needs; and

in the right place—in a location conducive to this kind of environment."