The rights of group memebers
Members need enough information about a group to be able to make informed choices
- Educate members about their rights and responsibilities
- Informed consent needs to be an ongoing process, not a one time event
- Confidentiality is essential but not absolute
- If they are children, they should still know the limits of confidentiality
Confidentiality is ethical term
Privileged communications is legal term
Exceptions of confidentiality
- The client poses a danger to others or self
- A minor, elder, or dependent adult is victim of abuse or neglect
- The client needs to be hospitalized
- The information is made an issue in a court action
- The client requests a release of record
Confidentiality and privacy
- There is an increased risk of breach of confidentiality when members of a counseling group engage in social media
- Ground rules regarding members’ online behavior need to be part of informed consent
- Educate members about how to share their experience with others outside the group in an appropriate way
If other people are harmed
No privileged communication anymore
Group
No privileged communication because it is a one on one legal communication
You are NOT allowed to share in hat happens in therapy with friends or family
Some critical ethical issues
Issues in involuntary groups
Freedom to leave a group
Freedom from coercion and undue pressure
Issues in involuntary groups
Freedom to leave a group
Freedom from coercion and undue pressure
While group is going, you are encouraged to tell clients not to engage outside of group
The Group Leaders Values
- Be aware of how your values influence your group interventions
- Assist members in finding answers that are most congruent with their own values
- Use “ethical bracketing” to keep your personal values separate from your work with group members
- Find ways to manage value conflicts between you and the members
The Group leaders Values
- Recognize that much of group members’ exploration involves clarifying their values
- Monitor any members who may attempt to impose their values on other members
Religious and Spiritual Values in Group Counseling
Addressing spiritual and religious values in group work involves sensitive, controversial, and complex concerns
To help members with these concerns, be aware of your own spiritual or religious attitudes, beliefs, values, and experiences
Some group members may feel that their needs are not being met if their religious or spiritual concerns are ignored
Ethical bracketing
have to do when working with people that you do not necessarily want to work with
