HSER 511 Ethics Paper

Running head: ETHICS IN GROUPS

Ethics in Groups

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ETHICS IN GROUPS

Abstract

This research paper addresses the hot topic of ethics in groups. Based on the topic, it

highlights the broad understanding of the ethical issues in light of group therapy and

counseling among others. In addition, the research paper contains the first person

discussion of the leadership qualities and the approach to group therapy. The conclusion

of the study is based on the findings of the issues that are discussed in the research

findings. The paper establishes that individual therapy as having historically been cited as

an effective treatment measure with the group therapy being less considered. In addition,

the group psychotherapy has a high level of evidence as far as the treatment of various

problems is concerned. The paper has defined the constituents of the group work in

addition to establishing ethical standards that are ethical through which there can be

advancement of group therapist, counselors, psychotherapist, client and the profession. In

relation to understanding group ethics, there has been an aspect of the professional

practice through which the skills and knowledge is applied in facilitation of the group to

enable a collection of people that are interdependent in mutual goals realization, which

may be related to work or may be interpersonal. The major types of groups that have

been identified include the counseling, psychoeducation and psychotherapy. The group

process use in psychotherapy, counseling and in group therapy has been perceived to a

powerful catalyst through which change and personal growth can be enhanced. Each of

these groups is perceived to have unique purpose through which continuous need for

conducting increasing group ethics in the modern world than ever. Its importance

becomes not only limited to the clients safety but for the profession and therapist which

unique ethical standards pertaining to the group therapy are instituted.

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ETHICS IN GROUPS

Ethics in Groups

The therapeutic groups’ unique power which has been basically responsible for

bringing about changes for members has increasingly been acknowledged of late in the

profession of mental health (Corey and Corey, 2006). Individual therapy has traditionally

been perceived to be an effective type treatment with group therapy being the less

considered option. Markus and King (2003) notes, group psychotherapy has been

perceived to have a high level of evidence in the psychiatric and psychological problems

treatment. In connection to the group work counseling continued establishment, the

practitioners have identified the importance of developing a grounding that is solid in

relation to the ethical issues that are common through which group treatment is likely to

be the result. After the introduction of the primary organization with group work

established ethical standards, the major ethical issues are based on two broad areas; that

of the group’s rights and the ethical issues falling under responsibilities of the group

leader (Fallon, 2006).

The importance of group leader’s awareness is stressed by Bemak and Chung

(2004) based on various impending dilemmas in the group work. The conflicts and

challenges in the groups are highlighted by Bemak and Chang (2004) as natural

phenomenon with the challenges being perceived to be forces that are negative and

excellent reasons for the reluctance to conduct groups by the counselor. It is similarly

held by Kraus, DeEsch and Geroski (2001) that although there is unique therapeutic

power in the groups through which the clients can be in their transitional journey, there is

also threatening potential of the groups through which there is a possibility of harm being

produced to the members. Therefore, it will be important to define the constituents of the

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group work in addition to establishing ethical standards that are ethical through which

there can be advancement of group therapist, counselors, psychotherapist, clients and the

profession.

As the foundations for the standards that are ethical are laid, establishing the

boundaries of what the group work is made up of will be very essential. The group ethics

term has been well-expressed by ASGW (2000) in which it has incorporated the various

ways through which group working is enhanced to the counselors. Through group work,

there is an aspect of the professional practice through which the skills and knowledge is

applied in facilitation of the group to enable collection of people that are interdependent

in mutual goals realization which may be related to work or may be interpersonal. As

Corey and Corey (2006) notes, the group therapy etiology originates from its use on the

basis of psychotherapy, although in the understanding of group therapy, a wider

population is encompassed consisting of leaders and members of the group.

Due to the continuous expansion in group variance, there has increasingly been

the need to have ethical guidelines that are clear. Some groups have been perceived not

be naturally therapeutic together with having characteristics that are unique. Four major

types of groups have been identified by ASGW (2000), which are; counseling,

psychoeducational, task and psychotherapy. Each of these groups is perceived to have

unique purpose through which the group variances used today is demonstrated. Based on

the fact that the groups are ranged into various types, group intervention setting and

group member rights awareness has been perceived to be important. Those with a

consideration of connecting with the therapy group are usually not aware of basic rights

as members of the groups as well as their responsibilities. In connection to orientation,

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screening as well as consent that is informed, there is the need for the group members to

have an assurance of the appropriateness of the other members for the functioning at the

group level.

Screening is aimed at; (a) determining the compatibility of an individual for

specific group and (b) determination by the person the compatibility of the goals set

under it. There is also the right of the group member to be aware of the groups purpose, a

group format description, the group leaders qualification, the expenses and fees that have

to be met when joining the group together with the knowledge of the circumstances

through which there may be breaking of the confidentiality on the basis of reasons that

are legal, professional or even legal before even becoming a member in the group (Corey,

Williams and Moline, 1995). A further suggestion is held by Lasky and Riva (2006) that

it would also be ethical if the limitations and values of the group are discussed as well as

the psychological risks which participants in group may bring forth and ways through

which these risks can be dealt with . The new and prospective members are basically

prepared by the counselors through provision as much information as necessary on the

proposed group. Through screening, orientation and procedures of informed consent, an

appropriate match is provided between the individual and group through which there may

be a likelihood of prevention of further complications.

Basically, the major standards in relation to group therapy according to APA

(2002) stated, “When psychologist provide services to several persons in a group setting,

they describe at the onset the roles and responsibilities of all parties and the limits of

confidentiality” (p. 15). The support that is added to the relevance of acquiring consent;

that is informed to the members of the groups at the beginning of the group therapy can

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be seen in the ACA (2005) in which the members are informed by the group counselors

whether they will participate on the basis of involuntary or voluntary.

Participation is also another ethical dilemma in which the dilemmas that are more

specific will include issues related to indirect participation, the right of the members to

leave the group, in addition to participation that is mandatory to various activities that

takes place during the period of the group work. As Glass (1998) notes, the outlook

facing an increasing number of therapist involve treatments which are not there in

accordance to their will or whose refusal to participate is as a result of various reasons.

The endeavor of the counselor is aimed at ensuring that there is informed consent for the

members even if it is based on their involuntary basis (ASGW, 2000). The autonomy

respect for the individual is perceived to be essential as there is emergence of

cohesiveness between the members of the group. Through the group leaders, the

member’s rights are protected against intimidation, physical threats, and undue pressure

from the peers and coercion in a reasonable manner (ASGW, 1989). The groups are

basically aimed at helping the member in establishing their own answers and not through

pressuring them into acting according to appropriate perception of the group. There may

be an onset of a coercive feeling by the member in which information that is private and

damaging may be disclosed if there is no protection. The reducing coercion likelihood in

a group therapy is perceived to be significant to the rights of participation in addition to

allowing the therapeutic agent to work the magic within the group.

In relation to privileged and confidentiality communication, ensuring that there is

confidentiality in group therapy has been perceived to be the group counseling most

challenging aspect (Lasky and Riva, 2006). The steps that have to be taken by the group

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counselor are aimed at protection of the members through definition of the confidentiality

and limitation that are potential to maintenance of group work. Although it is the duty of

the therapist in creation of an atmosphere that is positive through which there is

maintenance of the confidentiality, this results from the laws and jurisdiction through

which their region are governed. Through communication that is privileged, there is legal

concept which ensues to the client that the disclosure of the information to the relation

that is therapeutic will not in the legal proceeding be exposed by the therapist. However,

the privileged communication concept availed to the relationship at the individual level is

not perceived to be applicable to group therapy based on the fact that the acting of the

other members will on the basis of third party. Through the group counselor, there may

be the exemption from testifying, which may be obligated to the third party (Corey et al.

1995). The beneficial communication has not at the first place been aimed at protection

of the communication that is made within groups, and it is also important to note that it

does not unfortunately apply the work groups. In addition, a study by Pomerantz, (2004)

postulates that the group communication client’s falls under the privilege of the therapist.

Glass (1998) notes that the group leader’s action, responsibilities and attitude are

where the various ethical issues that surround the group work originate from, and do not

come from the group. The group ability of reacting to the group incidents that are

conflicting or challenging is one of the group leadership most important aspect. To enable

the group leaders in responding to the group members in a way that is ethical, the

guidelines of ethics as specified by APA, ACA and ASGW will have to be complied too.

As the modern group therapy continue to be characterized with intense sensitivity in

ethical issues, the importance of training leaders that are competent has been perceived to

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ETHICS IN GROUPS

be a characteristic that is essential in the graduate programs of counseling. The

importance of group leaders training has been strongly emphasized with the following

particular competence in skills being stressed on: the group opening and closing ability,

modeling behaviors that is appropriate for the members in the group, incorporation of a

self disclosure that is appropriate to the group, receiving and giving feedback, assistance

of the members in attribution of their experience with meaning together , with assisting

the members in integration and application of their learning. Also the core competencies

of the group should be outlined, the practice scope and nature, the group members

assessment together with their living and working social systems, the group intervention

planning, the group intervention, co-leadership and leadership implementation, and

practices that are competent in diverse ways (ASGW, 2000). The need for these standards

increased awareness is supported by Markus and King (2003) in a study in which only

the pre-doctoral psychology are not routinely perceived to provide group psychotherapy

sufficient for training. The importance of training group leaders that are of high quality

through group work listing as an important content area of the curriculum has been

strongly stressed. There is in addition the need for provision of participation option in

group activity during the training in which self-understanding is promoted in addition to

increasing the interpersonal skills and self analysis (Barlow, 2008).

A great deal of power is usually enhanced by the group leaders and there is need

for ensuring that their own values are not forced on the groups. In this area, the ethical

concern includes the leaders using their group in advancing the agendas that are personal

to them in addition to meeting their own needs at the group member’s expense (Corey et

al. 1995). Awareness is usually developed by the group counselors in their own needs

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ETHICS IN GROUPS

and values as well as the potential impact that they usually cause to the probable

intervention (ASGW, 1989). In relation to this, there exist a real difference between

exposure and imposing of one’s values (Brabender, 2006), As self values are imposed by

the group leader, it is usually a show of disrespect for the integrity of the members

although at times, it is perceived to be appropriate in exposing the values in case there is

conflict to the member’s values based on the fact that they are usually not evitable in

addition to being the psychotherapy pervasive part (Corey et al. 1995).

My leadership qualities are numerous; however is it discipline that enables me to

work toward my vision or goals as a leader. Unquestionably my leadership is marked by

other characteristics such as patience, honestly, strength, sensitivity, objectivity,

trustworthiness, caring, openness and, confidence (Jacobs, Masson and Harvill, 2009.) I

am usually able to direct my actions as well as those of the group or team towards the

goal. My leadership is also marked by actions, which has been guided by my daily quest

toward my vision in a trend through which I am also able to inspire others. The strength

in me to be a great leader is guided by integrity, dedication, creativity, fairness and

assertiveness. My effort to excellent leadership is basically motivated by the fact that I

have a clear vision through which I am well aware of where I am going. In addition, I

believe that I now have a better understanding of what success feels like and based on

this, I now have a laid out strategy through which l am able to achieve that success.

However as a potential leader, I clearly understand that having a vision is simply not

enough and that I must also have experience. According to Jacobs et al. 2009, Effective

leaders have spent considerable time talking to all kinds with all kinds of people, not just

those like themselves. The broader the leaders range of life experiences, the greater the

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chances for understanding the diverse members of a group” (p. 25).

The ability of the leaders in developing a perspective that is multicultural is one

ethical issue that is most pressing; surrounding group work based on which there is need

of development of a perspective that is multicultural. As society face changes toward a

population that is more diverse, there is the need for the group intervention meeting these

challenging needs in addition to being the responsibility of the leaders making it happen.

According to my understanding of group therapy, there seem to be a self awareness

component that is diverse in addition to intervention strategies that are diversity

appropriate. The ASGW (1998) principles, reminds me that basically, there is for certain

a place which can be considered as the group workers starting point through which there

can be increased awareness and skills in facilitation of the groups with membership

representing the societal diversity. In relation to this, I see the importance of therapist

having a dire need for becoming group leaders that are diversity competent. In addition, if

there has to be effectiveness of the group therapist in the population, training will be

critical to enhance cultural competence (Bemak and Chung, 2004). As the group therapist

strive to emerge aware of their personal biases, it will be important that they build on the

standards through which there will be a foundation (Corey et al. 1995). To the therapists

that are offering group therapy as well as individual to the same person, the risk of

confidentiality breach and informed consent is high based on the fact that remembering

the information that was shared may be difficult. Before entering a counseling

relationship that is dual it is important to be aware of the precursors. In dual relationship

situations where the therapist provides both individual and group therapy to a patient it

can increase the risk of confidentiality breach and informed consent is high based on the

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fact that the therapist may experience some difficulty remembering which environment

the patient disclosed which information (Glass, 1998).

Conclusion

The group process use in psychotherapy, counseling and in group therapy has

been perceived to be a powerful catalyst through which change and personal growth can

be enhanced. Similarly, there can be a likelihood of misusing this power if the

performance is done without ethical standards application. Based on the ethical standards

that are established by ACA, APA and ASGW, group members’ rights are promoted as

well as their responsibilities. It is also clear that there are some challenging situations

arising from the group counseling which will result in therapeutic energy and are

perceived to be the commonly avoided rich moments. Such challenges should be

capitalized on by the group counselors in addition to harnessing the distinctive power

which has potential of being provided by the group process (Kraus et al. 2001).

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Association for Specialist in Group Work. (1989). Ethical Guidelines for Group

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