Confidentiality in Group Settings
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Ethical Issues Specifically Confidentiality in Group Settings
Jill Hutzel
Touro College
Confidentiality in Group Settings
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According to Merrell, Ervin and Gimpel (2006), “Psychologists have a primary
obligation and take reasonable precautions to protect confidential information obtained through
or stored in any medium, recognizing that the extent and limits of confidentiality may be
regulated by law or established by institutional rules of professional or scientific
relationship…The limits of Confidentiality include A). Psychologists discuss with persons
(including, to the extent feasible, persons who are legally incapable of giving informed consent
and their legal representatives) and organizations with whom they establish a scientific or
professional relationship (1) the relevant limits of confidentiality and (2) the foreseeable uses of
the information generated through their psychological activities, B). Unless it is not feasible or
is contraindicated, the discussion of confidentiality occurs at the outset of the relationship and
thereafter as new circumstances may warrant, and C). Psychologists who offer services,
products, or information via electronic transmission inform clients/patients of the risks of privacy
and limits of confidentiality.”
When discussing a more specific topic of confidentiality such as within a group setting,
“Corey, Corey and Callanan (2007) and Crespi (2009) have particular concerns about
confidentiality in counseling groups for minors. They urge leaders to ‘teach members, in terms
they are capable of understanding, about the nature, purposes and limits of confidentiality’ (p.
476) and to remind members to discuss their concerns about confidentiality whenever needed.
With complete information about the limits of confidentiality, members can decide how much
they want to disclose. Salo and Shumate (1993) also note that ‘groups by their very nature,
negate the presumption of privacy’ (p. 34). They advise counselors to inform all group members
about the necessity for confidentiality, but also to point out that privileged communication may
not apply to group discussion. Welfel (2010) states that even though group counselors cannot
Confidentiality in Group Settings
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guarantee confidentiality, they encourage it. Having children practice keeping group
communication private by role-playing situations may eliminate some complications”
(Henderson and Thompson, 2011).
More specific to confidentiality within a group setting, Lasky and Rivera (2006) agree
that “in individual therapy, confidentiality creates frequent ethical dilemmas for therapists. In a
survey asking over one thousand members of the American Psychological Association about
incidents that were ethically challenging, Pope and Vetter (1992) found the most common
dilemma for individual therapists involved confidentiality. In group psychotherapy, issues of
confidentiality are even more complicated. Welfel (1998) outlined how issues of confidentiality
in groups differ from those in individual therapy. In addition to disclosing personal information
to a therapist, the group client discloses information to other group members with no guarantee
that those others will keep that information private. The very effectiveness of the treatment is
based on the interdependence and interaction among group members that entails the mutual
disclosing of personal material. The group therapist has comparatively less control over how
sessions progress, in terms of the nature and depth of material disclosed, or what happens
between sessions, especially around issues of confidentiality.”
In addition, “The literature is clear that absolute confidentiality in groups is difficult and
at times even unrealistic. Pepper (2004) states: ‘the very nature of group, with the sheer number
of participants and all the possible permutations and combinations for boundary crossings,
virtually ensures the inevitability of violations of privacy’ (p. 103-104). The challenges in
maintaining confidentiality increase many fold when group members live and work in close
proximity with each other, as in correctional institutions or inpatient facilities where group
Confidentiality in Group Settings
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members interact with each other in numerous ways and often share multiple roles” (Lasky and
Rivera, 2006).
Confidentiality is definitely something that is taken seriously at both of my internship
sites. When trying to think about what I could write about for this paper it was not an easy task.
My supervisors along with the rest of the staff have done a fantastic job being professional and
taking their careers seriously. Although, this may not be the case; I have only been at my sites
for a few months now. If I was to write this paper in a couple of months from now or at the end
of the year, I am sure that I would be able to see, think, hear, etc. a number of unethical issues at
both of my sites.
One of the immediate concerns that involves confidentiality are the discussions within the
faculty lounge. The staff will talk about their students, but again I do not hear things that are
extremely personal, insulting or demeaning to the student. Staff will mostly talk about what goes
on within their classroom, minor social issues between the students, assignments and/or
homework that are given out in classes and conversations that are completely unrelated to work.
Although this is a serious issue involving confidentiality of the students, it probably
happens within every school and there are bigger problems that should probably be addressed. I
decided to focus this paper on Confidentiality involving counseling groups. I have witnessed
concerns of this topic several times already and although the word “confidentiality” has been
explained and reminded to the students often, it is still misused. The students will discuss topics
to other students that are not within the counseling groups. The proof of this is when other
students (who are not in any counseling groups) come down to guidance and actually tell staff
what the students have told them or overheard. They mention specific details that have been
discussed within groups and concerns that they have because they are aware of information.
Confidentiality in Group Settings
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Specifically, two girls came into guidance to share that they over heard two other students
(which are in a counseling group together) speaking and discussing with one another about a
student who has been physically and sexually abused by her biological father. The one student
will sporadically discuss this very private and confidential topic to the other members, believing
that this information will stay within the group. This had the two students who are not in the
counseling group concerned that the one girl will commit suicide because of the abuse. False
information such as this will lead to untrue accusations and concerns with not only the other
students but staff and family members. It needs to be a constant and consistent reminder for
these students that what is said within group, stays within the counseling session. As the
previous research supports, it is unethical for students to discuss confidential information outside
of groups. This issue probably arises in school districts in all areas of the globe. It is up to staff
member’s to keep on top of what is discussed within their schools and to discuss with students
within their groups the importance of respecting the confidentiality of others.
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Reference
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Crespi, T.D. (2009). Group counseling in the schools: Legal, ethical, and treatment issues in
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Henderson, D.A., & Thompson, C.L. (2011). Counseling Children (8th ed.). Belmont, CA:
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Lasky, G. B., & Riva, M. T. (2006). Confidentiality and privileged communication in group
psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56(4), 455-76. Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com/docview/194765973?accountid=14375
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