Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions, 9th Edition by Gerald Corey, Marianne Schneider Corey, Cindy Corey, and Patrick Callanan with Michelle Muratori, Johns Hopkins University © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical issues in Group Work Chapter 12 Ethical issues in Group Work © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in Group Therapy Professional training standards: Knowledge competencies Skill competencies Training for various types of groups: Task and work groups Psychoeducational groups Group counseling Group psychotherapy © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Training Program for Group Workers Recommendations: Personal psychotherapy Self-exploration and experiential groups Participation in a training and supervisory group © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in the Diversity Training of Group Workers Group counselors emphasize appreciation, respect, and acceptance in cultural and racial identity for all cultures. Group counselors strive to increase their awareness of their own multicultural identity. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in the Diversity Training of Group Workers Group counselors consider the impact of adverse social, environmental, and political factors in assessing problems and designing interventions. Group counselors acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for effectively working with the diverse range of members in their groups. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in the Diversity Training of Group Workers Group counselors seek consultation, supervision, and further education to fill any gaps and remain current. Group counselors are aware of problems involved in stereotyping and avoid making the erroneous assumption that there are no differences between group members from the same ethnic, racial, or other group. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in the Diversity Training of Group Workers Group counselors respect the roles of family and community hierarchies within a client’s culture. Group counselors assist members in determining those instances when their difficulties stem from others’ racism or bias, so they do not inappropriately personalize problems. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in the Diversity Training of Group Workers Group counselors inform members about basic values that are implicit in the group process (e.g., self-disclosure, reflecting on one’s life, and taking risks) Group counselors increase their awareness of how myths, stereotypes, and assumptions they learned by living in society influence their work in facilitating groups. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in the Diversity Training of Group Workers Group counselors are committed to expanding their services to create new ways of developing groups and identifying members to promote equity, access, harmony, and participation. Group counselors promote egalitarianism by educating group members about their rights. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in the Diversity Training of Group Workers Group counselors establish norms that accept, value, and respect cultural differences. Group counselors model relationship skills that are basic to establishing and maintaining connections between multicultural group members. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in the Diversity Training of Group Workers Group counselors with a social justice orientation are aware that individual change occurs through social change, and they advocate with clients and on behalf of clients. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in Co-leadership Co-leaders who complement and balance each other can provide useful modeling for members, share responsibilities, and provide mutual support. Drawbacks to the co-leadership model include ineffective communication, competition between leaders, and overdependence on the co-leader. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in Co-leadership Unresolved conflicts between the leaders can result in splitting within the group. Co-leaders need to be committed to identify and resolve issues that interfere with them working effectively in the group. Supervision should include opportunities for co-leaders to explore personal beliefs and perspectives about co-facilitation. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in Group Membership Informed consent Screening and selection Preparing group participants Involuntary participation Freedom to leave group © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Ethical Issues in Group Membership Psychological risks Confidentiality in groups Exceptions to confidentiality Confidentiality with minors Confidentiality with online groups © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Unethical Use of Group Techniques It is unethical for group leaders to use techniques: That are unfamiliar To serve a hidden agenda or enhance power Solely to create an intense atmosphere To pressure members or deprive them of their dignity © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Recommendations in Using Group Techniques Techniques should have therapeutic purpose. Techniques should be grounded in a theoretical framework. Client’s self-exploration should be fostered. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Recommendations in Using Group Techniques Leaders should modify techniques for culturally diverse clients. Techniques shouldn’t be used haphazardly. Techniques should be introduced in a timely and sensitive manner. Group members should be given freedom to participate or pass on experiments. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Recommendations in Using Group Techniques Group leaders should use techniques with which they are familiar Leaders should be aware of potential impact of techniques. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Social Media in Group Work Confidentiality and issues of privacy take on added dimensions when group members and leaders communicate via the Internet. Research focused on the intersection of digital technology and therapy is in its infancy. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Social Media in Group Work Group workers need to prepare themselves to receive a “Friend Request” from either current or former members of the groups they lead. This seemingly straightforward request is quite complex and requires a great deal of reflection. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Termination in Closed Groups In a closed group, the task of leaders is to help members review their individual work and the evolving patterns from the first to the final session. Informed consent involves talking with group members from the beginning of a group experience about the ending and how to terminate productively. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Termination in Open Groups Teach members to give adequate notice when they decide it is time to terminate. If the member’s intention to leave is not adequately discussed in the group, this can undermine potentially valuable group experiences. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Termination in Open Groups An ideal termination is one that has been mutually agreed upon by the member and the leader and for which there is sufficient time to work through the process of loss and separation. Assist members who are leaving with reviewing what they have learned in the group and what they intend to do with this learning. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Termination in Open Groups Remaining group members often have reactions about the loss of a member. Give them an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.