1Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slidesPsychology 475Professional Ethics in Addictions Counseling1Ethical Issues in Group WorkChapter 122Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEthical Issues in Group Membership• Poor candidates for group:• Brain-damaged people• Acutely paranoid individuals• Antisocial personalities3Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingCounselors should meet with clients prior to attending group to:• Respond to any questions or concerns• Explain group process• Clarify on how members are expected to behave4Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingGroups continued• Explain expectations on what the group can accomplish• Clarify goals and objectives• Explore the risks and values of group participation5Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingGroups continued• Values and limitations of groups• Psychological risks – and ways of minimizing these risks• Explore fears and resistance6Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingInvoluntary Participation27Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingWhen group attendance is mandatory, make sure clients understand their rights and responsibilities:• Nature and goals of the group • Right to decline certain activities• Limits of confidentiality• Participation in group will have an effect on them outside of group8Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingFreedom to Leave Group• Procedures for leaving a group should be explained during the initial session.• Clients have a responsibility to the group to explain why they want to leave.9Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingPsychological Risks• Some potential risks:• Disruption of client’s lives • Privacy may be invaded• Group pressure10Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore potential risks:• Scapegoating• Misused confrontation• No guarantee of confidentiality11Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore on Groups• Group leaders have the ultimate responsibility of protecting the clients in group, and not allowing harm.12Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingConfidentiality in Groups• The legal concept of privileged communication generally does not apply in group settings.313Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingGroup leaders have the responsibility of telling clients:• Limits of confidentiality • Their responsibility to other group members• The absence of legal privilege concerning what is shared in group14Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingHow to Encourage Confidentiality in Group15Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingExceptions to Confidentiality• If members pose danger to themselves or others• Other issues discussed in chapter 6 also apply to group work16Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingImportant to give members a written statement about:• Nature, purposes, and limitations of confidentiality• When it will be breached• What will be documented17Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingConfidentiality with Minors• State laws pertaining to minors• Can a minor seek help without parental consent• An emancipated minor• Rights of parents to access records18Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingValues in Group Counseling419Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEffective Group Leader Behaviors• Demonstrates acceptance of the client• Avoids responding to sarcastic remarks with sarcasm20Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEffective Group Leader Behaviors continued• Being honest with group• Avoids judgments and labeling of members21Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEffective Group Leader Behaviors continued• States observations in a tentative way rather than dogmatically• Lets members who are difficult, know how they are affecting them in a non-blaming way22Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEffective Group Leader Behaviors continued• Detects their countertransference• Avoids misusing their power23Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEffective Group Leader Behaviors continued• Provides both supportive and caring confrontation• Avoids meeting their own needs at the expense of the members24Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingDiversity Issues in Group Work• Ethnicity and culture influence behavior.• Consider social, environmental, and political factors in assessing problems and designing interventions.525Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore Diversity Issues in Group Work• Acquire knowledge/skills to work with the diversity of members in group.• Self Awareness26Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore Diversity Issues in Group Work• Sensitivity to issues of oppression, sexism, and racism.• Respect the roles of family and community hierarchies within the culture.27Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore Diversity Issues in Group Work• Respect members religious and spiritual beliefs.• Assist members in determining when their difficulties stem from others racism or bias.28Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore Diversity Issues in Group Work• Inform members about basic values in the group process.29Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingUses and Abuses of Group Techniques30Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingTechniques that can be abused :• Techniques client’s are unfamiliar with• Techniques that serve the counselors hidden agendas631Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore techniques that can be abused :• Techniques that create an intense atmosphere• Techniques that pressure members32Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingGuidelines for avoiding abuse• Techniques should have a therapeutic purpose and be grounded in therapeutic theory.• Client’s self-exploration should be fostered.33Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingAdditional guidelines• Techniques should be unique to client and assist client in exploring new behaviors.• Modify techniques to make them suitable to culture.34Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions