Law & Ethics Chpt. 12

Front 1

Training and supervision of group leaders

Back 1

1) need both didactic and experiential components in group work training 2) need at least one group course 3) must have specialized training in conducting groups 4) remember, will not always have answers to dilemmas that arise in groups.

Front 2

Diversity guidelines for group practice

Back 2

1) counselor must be culturally competent 2) should have general understanding of cultural background of group members 3) emphasize respect, acceptance for all cultures 4) understand how own culture interrelates with people from other cultures 5) consider impact of adverse social, political, environmental factors in assessment and treatment 6) respect role of family and community hierarchies within client's culture 7) do not make mistake of assuming and stereotyping because a group member looks to be from a certain culture 8) inform members about basic structure of group therapy (e.g., self-disclosure, taking risks, reflecting on one's own life) 9) must know one's own cultural influences to know how to relate to others.

Front 3

Co-leadership of groups

Back 3

1) groups can benefit from 2 leaders 2) co-leaders can share responsibilities, complement, and balance each other 3) choice of co-leader important 4) co-leaders should debrief at end of session to discuss session 5) good to have mixed-gender leaders.

Front 4

Screening and selection of group members

Back 4

1) is common 2) ethics code recommends screening 3) Yalom suggest poor group candidates include people with brain damage, paranoid people, hypochondriacs, substance addicted people, acutely psychotic people, and antisocial personalities. 4) Yalom suggest motivation of members is key factor 5) screening most effective when leader interviews members and vice versa 6) not all theoretical orientations favor screening (e.g., Adlerians favor democratic approach)

Front 5

Preparing group participants

Back 5

1) explore members expectations 2) clarify goals and objectives 3) discuss procedural details 4) explore possible risks and values of participation 5) discuss guidelines for getting the most out of a group 6) procedures for leaving the group-clients should explain to leaders and other members why they want to leave.

Front 6

Involuntary group participation

Back 6

Greater effort will will need to be taken to fully inform members of 1) nature and goals of group 2) procedures to be used 3) rights of members to decline certain activities 4) limits of confidentiality 5) what effect their level of participation will have on them 6) rights and responsibilities of group members.

Front 7

Psychological risks in groups

Back 7

1) leaders have ethical obligation to protect clients from physical, emotional, or psychological trauma 2) group leader must work within scope of competence 3) need to create safe environment 4) must inform clients of potential risks of group participation-a contract detailing specific risks is helpful.

Front 8

Confidentiality and exceptions in group work

Back 8

1) legal concept of privileged communication does not apply in a group setting 2) leader must inform members of limits of confidentiality, responsibility of other group members,and absence of legal privilege-group confidentiality contract helpful.

Front 9

Online group counseling

Back 9

1) difficult to ensure clients' privacy and confidentiality 2) difficult to reliably identify an individual on the internet 3) authors of book are against online group counseling on ethical and clinical grounds.

Front 10

Ethics of group techniques

Back 10

Techniques can be abused or used in unethical ways: 1) unfamiliar techniques 2) using techniques to enhance power 3) using techniques whose sole purpose is to create intensity because the leader wants it 4) using techniques to pressure members.

Front 11

Consultation and referral of group members

Back 11

Example: certain cultural issues; good way to protect against a malpractice suit; good to explore with members policies on consultation; some situations may require referral.

Front 12

Group termination

Back 12

1) often difficult for group members and may involve a grieving process 2) provides members to clarify meaning of experiences, consolidate gains made, make decisions about new behaviors to take away 3) need to allow sufficient time 4) counselors must assess both process and outcome of their groups-short term (1 month) and long term (3 month) follow-up is often a good way to do this.