Ethical Issues in Group Counseling
by Tiffany Bates, M.A., LPC, LMFT, NCC, NCSC
Group Counseling
• In general, group counseling offers multiple
relationships to assist an individual in growth
and problem solving. In group therapy sessions,
members are encouraged to discuss the issues
that brought them into therapy openly and
honestly. The counselor works to create an
atmosphere of trust and acceptance that
encourages members to support one another.
Objectives
• Give overview of ACA Code of Ethics for
group counseling
• Discuss the ethical implications of group
counseling
• Discuss the rights of group members
• Discuss the psychological risks of groups
• Discuss the group leader’s values
• Discuss specific case studies
ACA Code of Ethics, 2005
• A.8. Group Work
A.8.a. Screening
Counselors screen prospective group
counseling/therapy participants. To the extent
possible, counselors select members whose
needs and goals are compatible with goals of the
group, who will not impede the group process,
and whose well-being will not be jeopardized by
the group experience.
ACA Code of Ethics, 2005 (cont.)
• A.8.b. Protecting Clients
In a group setting, counselors take reasonable
precautions to protect clients from physical,
emotional, or psychological trauma.
ACA Code of Ethics, 2005 (cont.)
• B.4. Groups and Families
B.4.a. Group Work
In group work, counselors clearly explain the
importance and parameters of confidentiality
for the specific group being entered.
ACA Code of Ethics, 2005 (cont.)
B.4.b. Couples and Family Counseling
In couples and family counseling, counselors clearly
define who is considered “the client” and discuss
expectations and limitations of confidentiality.
Counselors seek agreement among all involved parties
having capacity to give consent concerning each
individual’s right to confidentiality and any obligation to
preserve the confidentiality of information known.
For more information, refer to www.counseling.org, click
on Resources, then Ethics.
Ethical Implications
• Which code to follow?
“School counselors could possibly have a number of ethics documents
with which they have agreed to comply. For example, a school
counselor who is a member of the American School Counselor
Association (ASCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA),
who is certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors
(NBCC), and who is licensed by his or her state counseling licensure
board has agreed to abide by four separate sets of ethical standards.”
There are some variations in the different counseling ethical standards
documents.
Remley, T. & Huey, H. (2003). Ethical decision making and legal issues. In T.P.
Remley, Jr., M.A. Hermann, & W. C. Huey (Eds.), Ethical & legal issues in
school counseling (2nd ed., pp. 5-20). Alexandria, VA: American School
Counselor Association.
Informed Consent
• To encourage open and active participation from group
members, it is the counselor’s responsibility to explain
the client’s rights.
Before
∞Purpose
∞Format, procedures and ground rules
∞Group appropriate for client’s needs
∞Limits of confidentiality
∞The group process may or may not be
congruent with the cultural beliefs and
values of the group member
Informed Consent (cont.)
During
∞Right to leave the group if it
isn’t what they expected or wanted
∞Any research involved
∞If the sessions are taped
∞Processing information
∞Freedom from group pressure
∞Expectations
Involuntary group members
• Ethically, the counselor should inform clients of
their rights and responsibilities and inform them
of any possible consequences they may face if
they elect not to follow treatment.
Reaction
• Remain alert to ways in which your personal
reactions might inhibit the group process, and
monitor your countertransference. Avoid using
the group as a place where you work through
your personal problems.
Case Example #1
• A high school counselor secures permission from his
principal to conduct group counseling sessions one night a
week in an Internet chat room for students whose parents
are going through a divorce. The principal asks the
counselor to provide her with professional guidelines for
counseling in this manner and to demonstrate how the
procedures the counselor has developed comply with the
professional standards. The counselor replies that since
Internet counseling is so new, standards have not yet been
adopted, but he assures the principal he will conduct the
group sessions in a professional manner.
Response to Case Example #1
• The ASCA standards require specifically that school
counselors who communicate with clients on the
Internet should follow the requirements in The Practice
of Internet Counseling (National Board for Certified
Counselors, 2001). The ACA code offers only general
guidelines for the use of computers in counseling.
However, ACA has also developed a separate document
(that must be used in conjunction with the ACA ethics
code) for Internet Counseling, Ethical Standards for
Internet On-line Counseling (American Counseling
Association, 1999)
Share your reaction about this video
• http://mediamatters.org/items/200605250011
Case Example #2
• You are counseling a group of men that are
addressing their sexuality. Some men in the
group are openly gay and others are struggling
with their identity. “Rob”, from the video you
just watched, is one of the group members. He
brings up ‘reparative therapy’ as a solution. A
heated discussion ensues. You personally believe
that no one is ‘born’ gay. What ethical
implications can occur?
References
• Corey, G., William, G.T., Moline, M.E. (1995).
Ethical and legal issues in group counseling.
Ethics & Behavior, 5(2), 161-183.
• Corey, G. (2000). Theory and practice of group
counseling (5th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth.
• Cottone, R. & Tarvydas, V. (2003). Ethical and
professional issues in counseling (2nd ed.).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, pp. 332-342.
References (cont.)
• Kocet, M., (2006). Ethical challenges in a complex
world: Highlights of the 2005 ACA code of ethics,
Journal of Counseling & Development, 84(2), 228-253.
• Remley, T.P., Jr., Hermann, M.A., & Huey, W. C.
(Eds.). (2003). Ethical & legal issues in school
counseling (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American
School Counselor Association.
• Stein, R. (1990). Ethical issues in counseling. Buffalo,
NY: Prometheus Books.
Any questions?