ethical issues in group counseling
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Ethical Issues in Group ounseling
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Group Counseling
In general, group counseling offers multiplerelationships to assist an individual ingrowthandproblem solving. In group therapy
sessions, members are encouraged to discuss theissues that brought them into therapy openlyand honestly. The counselor works to create an
atmosphere of trust and acceptance thatencourages members to support one another.
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Objectives
Give overview of ACA Code of Ethics forgroup counseling
Discuss the ethical implications of groupcounseling
Discuss the rights of group members
Discuss the psychological risks of groups Discuss the group leaders values
Discuss specific case studies
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ACA Code of Ethics, 2005
A.8. Group Work
A.8.a. Screening
Counselors screen prospective groupcounseling/therapy participants. To the extentpossible, counselors select members whoseneeds and goals are compatible with goals of the
group, who will not impede the group process,and whose well-being will not be jeopardized bythe group experience.
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ACA Code of Ethics, 2005 (cont.)
A.8.b. Protecting Clients
In a group setting, counselors take reasonableprecautions to protect clients from physical,emotional, or psychological trauma.
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ACA Code of Ethics, 2005 (cont.)
B.4. Groups and Families
B.4.a. Group Work
In group work, counselors clearly explain theimportance and parameters of confidentiality forthe specific group being entered.
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ACA Code of Ethics, 2005 (cont.)
B.4.b. Couples and Family CounselingIn couples and family counseling, counselors clearlydefine who is considered the client and discussexpectations and limitations of confidentiality.
Counselors seek agreement among all involved partieshaving capacity to give consent concerning eachindividuals right to confidentiality and any obligation topreserve the confidentiality of information known.
For more information, refer towww.counseling.org,click on Resources, then Ethics.
http://www.counseling.org/http://www.counseling.org/ -
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Ethical Implications
Which code to follow?
School counselors could possibly have a number of ethics documentswith which they have agreed to comply. For example, a schoolcounselor who is a member of the American School Counselor
Association (ASCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA),who is certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC),and who is licensed by his or her state counseling licensure board hasagreed to abide by four separate sets of ethical standards.
There are some variations in the different counseling ethical standardsdocuments.
Remley, T. & Huey, H. (2003). Ethical decision making and legal issues. InT.P. Remley, Jr., M.A. Hermann, & W. C. Huey (Eds.), Ethical & legal issuesin school counseling (2nded., pp. 5-20). Alexandria, VA: American SchoolCounselor Association.
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Informed Consent
To encourage open and active participation from groupmembers, it is the counselors responsibility to explainthe clients rights.
Before
PurposeFormat, procedures and ground rulesGroup appropriate for clients needsLimits of confidentialityThe group process may or may not be
congruent with the cultural beliefs andvalues of the group member
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Informed Consent (cont.)
During
Right to leave the group if itisnt what they expected or wanted
Any research involved
If the sessions are taped
Processing information
Freedom from group pressure
Expectations
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Involuntary group members
Ethically, the counselor should inform clients oftheir rights and responsibilities and inform themof any possible consequences they may face if
they elect not to follow treatment.
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Reaction
Remain alert to ways in which your personalreactions might inhibit the group process, andmonitor your countertransference. Avoid using
the group as a place where you work throughyour personal problems.
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Case Example #1
A high school counselor secures permission from hisprincipal to conduct group counseling sessions one night aweek in an Internet chat room for students whose parentsare going through a divorce. The principal asks the
counselor to provide her with professional guidelines forcounseling in this manner and to demonstrate how theprocedures the counselor has developed comply with theprofessional standards. The counselor replies that sinceInternet counseling is so new, standards have not yet been
adopted, but he assures the principal he will conduct thegroup sessions in a professional manner.
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Response to Case Example #1
The ASCA standards require specifically that schoolcounselors who communicate with clients on theInternet should follow the requirements in The Practiceof Internet Counseling (National Board for CertifiedCounselors, 2001). The ACA code offers only generalguidelines for the use of computers in counseling.However, ACA has also developed a separatedocument (that must be used in conjunction with the
ACA ethics code) for Internet Counseling, EthicalStandards for Internet On-line Counseling (AmericanCounseling Association, 1999)
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Case Example #2
You are counseling a group of men that areaddressing their sexuality. Some men in thegroup are openly gay and others are struggling
with their identity. Rob, from the video you
just watched, is one of the group members. Hebrings up reparative therapy as a solution. A
heated discussion ensues. You personally believethat no one is born gay. What ethical
implications can occur?
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References
Corey, G., William, G.T., Moline, M.E. (1995).Ethical and legal issues in group counseling.
Ethics & Behavior, 5(2), 161-183.
Corey, G. (2000). Theory and practice of groupcounseling (5thed.). Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth.
Cottone, R. & Tarvydas, V. (2003). Ethical andprofessional issues in counseling (2nded.).Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, pp. 332-342.
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References (cont.)
Kocet, M., (2006). Ethical challenges in a complexworld: Highlights of the 2005 ACA code of ethics,Journal of Counseling & Development, 84(2), 228-253.
Remley, T.P., Jr., Hermann, M.A., & Huey, W. C.(Eds.). (2003). Ethical & legal issues in schoolcounseling (2nded.). Alexandria, VA: AmericanSchool Counselor Association.
Stein, R. (1990). Ethical issues in counseling. Buffalo,NY: Prometheus Books.