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.