Corey Chapter 3

ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN GROUP PRACTICE

Informed Consent
Informed consent is a legal procedure to ensure that a patient or client knows all of the risks and costs involved in a treatment Members have a right to receive basic info before joining a group and during the course of the group

RIGHTS OF GROUP PARTICIPANTS

Pregroup disclosures: 1. Statement regarding purpose of the group 2. Description of group format, procedures, ground rules 3. Initial interview

PRE-GROUP DISCLOSURES

4. Opportunity to seek info about the group, to pose questions and explore concerns
5. Discussion of cultural fit

6. Information about the group leader education, training, qualifications

PRE-GROUP DISCLOSURES
7. Details: fees, length of group, frequency, duration, group goals, techniques employed 8. Psychological Risks 9. Confidentiality and its limitations

PRE-GROUP DISCLOSURES
10. Clarification of services 11. Help in developing personal goals 12. Division of responsibility between leader and participants

PRE-GROUP DISCLOSURES
13. Rights and Responsibilities of group members Responsibilities:
Regular attendance Punctuality Be willing to talk about self Taking risks Feedback Maintaining confidentiality Asking for what one needs

PRE-GROUP DISCLOSURESClients Rights

Freedom to leave a group Freedom from coercion and pressure

Right to Confidentiality

CLIENTS RIGHTS DURING THE GROUP

Guidance concerning what is expected of them Notice of research Right to stop recording Assistance from group leader in translating group learning into action outside

CLIENTS RIGHTS DURING THE GROUP

Opportunities to debrief Crisis consultation/referral Observance of confidentiality Freedom from having values imposed Right to Dignity and respect

INVOLUNTARY GROUPS

Extra effort to be made to detail:

Nature and goals of group Procedures to be used Rights and responsibilities Limits of confidentiality Effect level of participation will have on critical decisions about them outside of the group

ETHICS OF GROUP LEADERS ACTIONS

Personal relationships between leaders and members Socialising among group members Impact of leaders values counselors are aware

of their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors and how these apply in a diverse society, and avoid imposing their values on their clients - ACA

Uses & misuses of Group Techniques

GROUP LEADER COMPETENCE

1.
2. 3.

Ways to enhance professional competence: Remain current and increase knowledge Seek professional help for yourself Use consultation and supervision

GROUP LEADER COMPETENCE

2 levels of competencies: Areas of knowledge:

Identifying ones strengths, weaknesses and values Describe typical stages of group development Describe facilitative and debilitative roles and behaviours of group members Know the therapeutic factors Be aware of ethical issues Understand the importance of group and member evaluation

Skill Competencies:

Open and close group sessions Model appropriate behaviours for gorup members Engage in appropriate self-disclosure Give and receive feedback Help members to attribute meaning to their experience in gorup Help integrate and apply learning Demonstrate ability to apply ethical standards

3 IMPORTANT ADJUNCTS TO GROUP LEADER TRAINING

1. Personal Psychotherapy 2. Self-Exploration Groups 3. Participation in Experiential Training Workshops ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO LEARN HOW TO ASSIST GROUP MEMBERS IN THEIR STRUGGLES IS TO PARTICIPATE YOURSELF AS A GROUP MEMBER OF A GROUP.