ethical and legal issues in group counseling

1. Ethical and Legal Issuesin Group Counseling

3. Professional Training Standards for Group Workers ASGW (2000) has recommendations for what constitutes competence as a group facilitator � Knowledge competencies: course work is essential Skills competencies: specific group facilitation skills are required for effectively intervening Core specialization in group work: task facilitation groups; psychoeducational groups; counseling groups; psychotherapy groups

4. Ethical and Legal Issues in Group Counseling Informed consent Provide members with adequate information that will allow them to decide if they want to join a group Some information to give prospective members: The nature of the group The goals of the group The general structure of the sessions What is expected of them if they join What they can expect from you as a leader

5. Psychological Risks of Group Participation Although there are benefits to participating in a group, there are also potential risks that group leaders need to monitor � Members may be pressured to disclose and violate privacy Confidentiality may be broken Scapegoating may occur Confrontation may be done in an uncaring manner Group leaders may not have the competencies to deal with some difficulties that arise in a group

6. Confidentiality Confidentiality is the foundation of a working group Leaders need to define the parameters of confidentiality including its limitations in a group setting Members need to be taught what confidentiality involves Leaders talk to members about the consequences of breaching confidentiality Leaders remind members at various points in a group of the importance of maintaining confidentiality

7. Guidelines for Using Techniques Ethically Your techniques should have a rationale Introduce techniques in a sensitive and timely manner Don�t stick to a technique if it is not working effectively Give members a choice � invite them to experiment with some behavior Use techniques that are appropriate to the member�s cultural values Techniques are best developed in response to what is happening in the here-and-now

8. The Role of Group Leader Values Essential that you are aware of your values and how they influence what you think, say, and do in groups Groups are not a forum for you to impose your values on members Purpose of a group: to assist members in examining options that are most congruent with their values Group members have the task of clarifying their own values and goals, making informed choices, and assuming responsibility for what they do

9. Some Legal Safeguards for Group Practitioners Take time and care in screening candidates for a group; and for preparing them on how to actively participate Demystify the group process Strive to develop collaborative relationships with the members Consult with colleagues or supervisors whenever there is a potential ethical or legal concern Incorporate ethical standards in the practice of group work

10. Initial Stage of a Group

11. Initial Stage of a Group Characteristics of initial stage Participants test the atmosphere and get acquainted Risk taking is relatively low � exploration is tentative Members are concerned with whether they are included or excluded A central issue is trust versus mistrust There are periods of silence and awkwardness Members are deciding how much they will disclose and how safe the group is

12. Common Fears Experienced by Group Members Anxiety over being accepted or rejected Concern about the judgment of others Afraid of appearing stupid Concerns about not fitting into the group Not knowing what is expected Concern over communicating feelings and thoughts effectively

13. Advantages of Developing a Here-And-Now Focus Dealing with the here-and-now energizes the group Members are best known by disclosing here-and-now experiencing Being in the here-and-now serves as a springboard for exploring everyday life concerns

14. Leader Attitudes and Behaviors That Generate Trust Careful attending and genuine listening Empathy Genuineness and self-disclosure Respect Caring confrontation

15. Establishing Goals Main task � helping members formulate clear and specific goals Absence of goals � considerable floundering and aimless sessions Collaborative process in identifying goals Goals � lead to contracts and homework assignments

16. Group Norms Norms and procedures enable a group to attain its goals Examples of group norms � Expectation of promptness and regular attendance Norm of sharing oneself in personal ways Expectation of giving meaningful feedback Members encouraged to offer both support and challenge to others Members functioning within the here-and-now context of the group

17. Member Guidelines to Benefit from a Group Express persistent reactions Come prepared to group sessions Decide for yourself what and how much to disclose Be an active participant Be open to feedback and consider what you hear Experiment with new behavior in group

18. Group Leader Issues at the Initial Stage Division of responsibility � How to achieve a balance of sharing responsibility with members? Degree of structuring � Creating a structure that will enable members to make maximum use of group process Opening group sessions � How to best open a group and help members gain a focus? Closing group sessions � How to best bring a session to closure without closing down further work later on?