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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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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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.

Ethical Issues in Group Counseling

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