Ethics in Group Work

1. Ethics in Group Work • Ethical considerations begin with recommendation that each group leader becomes aware of his / her own personal biases and subtle unethical behaviors • Ethical behavior requires a high level of consciousness both personally and professionally

2. Ethics in Group Work • Questions to consider • What am I doing? • Why am I doing it?

3. Ethical Codes • The rules professional members must adhere to in their practices • Examples: American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association • Not following these codes may result in: • Being expelled from the organization • Loss of license • Vulnerability to malpractice suits

4. Ethical Guidelines • Suggestions aimed at increasing ethical and professional behavior • Example: Association for Specialists in Group Work Best Practice Guidelines

5. Ethical Issues in Group Work • Three steps to assure ethical and legal practice (Gumaer & Forrest, 1995): • Be knowledgeable of the ethical codes; • Use critical thinking skills and professional standards of practice in considering ethical situations; • Demonstrate an interest in ethical group practice through supervision and striving for competence

6. Ethical Considerations • Areas in which ethical considerations may arise: • Involuntary membership • Informed consent • Freedom to withdraw from a group • Psychological risks to members • Confidentiality and privileged communication • Uses and abuses of group techniques • Leader’s values

7. Ethical Considerations (cont.) • Areas in which ethical considerations may arise (continued): • Multicultural awareness • Dual relationships • Responsibility • Counselor competence

8. Ethical Principles for Group Leaders • Reflect on personal identity - needs, behavior styles, roles and functions in the group; • Know what type of group you’re designing - be able to state the purpose and client characteristics; • Use screening method to determine suitable and unsuitable applicants; • Ask group members undergoing psychotherapy to consult therapist before becoming involved in the group;

9. Ethical Principles for Group Leaders (cont.) • Inform members of expectations and encourage them to develop a contract to assist them in obtaining their personal goals; • Inform members of techniques to be used, exercises, and ground rules; • Don’t undertake a project beyond the scope of your skills / training; make your qualifications available to members in writing; • State the focus of the group clearly;

10. Ethical Principles for Group Leaders (cont.) • Protect members’ rights to self-determination, particularly concerning self-disclosure and participation in activities; • Know and be able to articulate rationale for using group exercises; • Relate practice to theory - stay grounded in diverse theoretical orientations in your personal style; • Know the dangers of meeting your needs at the expense of members’ needs;

11. Ethical Principles for Group Leaders (cont.) • Inform members of the psychological risks before and during participation; • Emphasize the importance of confidentiality to members before and during group as well as upon termination of the group; • Be open with members about your values when appropriate but avoid imposing them on members; respect others’ cultural backgrounds and values;

12. Ethical Principles for Group Leaders (cont.) • Watch for symptoms of psychological debilitation; offer referral resources; • Encourage members to discuss their experiences in the group; assist members in evaluating their progress in meeting goals; • Assist members in applying what they are learning to their daily lives; • Schedule follow-up sessions; • Develop a method of evaluation;

13. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Planning • Professional context and regulatory requirements • Know, understand, apply relevant codes of ethics and standards of good practice; • Scope of practice and conceptual framework • Define the scope of practice related to core and specialization competencies; • Be aware of personal strengths and weaknesses; • Articulate framework to guide practice and rationale for techniques used;

14. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Planning (cont.) • Assessment • Self - actively assess knowledge and skills • Ecological • Community needs • Agency / organization resources • Sponsoring organization mission • Staff competency • Attitudes regarding group work • Professional training levels of potential group leaders • Client attitudes toward group work • Multicultural and diversity considerations

15. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Planning (cont.) • Program development and evaluation • Identify type of group to be offered • Concisely state the group purpose and goals • Set fees consistent with organizational fee schedule; give consideration to financial status of group members; • Choose appropriate techniques and leadership style; • Have an evaluation plan; • Take current professional guidelines into consideration when using technology;

16. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Planning (cont.) • Resources • Coordinate resources needed and to be used (e.g., funding, facilitators, space, marketing, etc.) • Professional disclosure statement • Confidentiality and limits to confidentiality • Theoretical orientation • Nature, purpose and goals of the group • Group services available • Role / responsibility of group members • Leader’s qualifications to lead group

17. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Planning (cont.) • Group and member preparation • Screen prospective members if appropriate • Facilitate informed consent (oral and written) • Obtain appropriate consent forms for work with minors and other dependent group members • Define confidentiality and its limits - inform participants whether legal privilege applies to group discussions

18. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Planning (cont.) • Professional development • Remain current and increase knowledge and skills through professional development, professional supervision, and continuing education • Seek consultation supervision for ethical concerns • Seek appropriate professional assistance for personal problems or conflicts • Seek consultation / supervision when working with a group for which all knowledge and skill competencies have not been achieved • Keep abreast of group research and development

19. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Planning (cont.) • Trends and technological changes • Be aware of and responsive to technological changes • Mental health delivery systems • Legislative and insurance industry reforms • Shifting population demographics and client needs • Technological advances in the Internet and other communication and delivery systems

20. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Performing • Self-knowledge • Awareness of strengths/weaknesses and their impact on the group • Group competencies • Basic knowledge of groups and principles of group dynamics; able to perform core group competencies

21. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Performing (cont.) • Group plan adaptation • Apply and modify knowledge, skills, techniques according to the group type, group stage, and unique needs of various cultural and ethnic groups • Monitor group’s progress toward group goals • Clearly define and maintain ethical, professional, and social relationship boundaries with members • Therapeutic conditions and dynamics • Implement appropriate models of group development, process observation, therapeutic conditions

22. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Performing (cont.) • Meaning • Assist members in generating meaning • Collaboration • Assist members in developing individual goals • Respect members as co-equal partners in the group experience • Evaluation • Formal and informal • Between sessions and at conclusion of group

23. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Performing (cont.) • Diversity • Practice with sensitivity to client differences including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, sexuality, psychological maturity, socioeconomic status, family history, physical characteristics or limitations, geographic location; • Seek information regarding these cultural issues both by interaction with participants and by using outside resources

24. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Performing (cont.) • Ethical surveillance • Employ appropriate ethical decision-making model

25. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Group Processing • Processing schedule • Process workings of the group with self, group members, supervisors or other colleagues as appropriate • Reflective practice • Synthesize theory and practice • Practice and incorporate learning outcomes • Attend to session dynamics of members and their interactions • Attend to relationship between session dynamics and leader values, cognition, and affect

26. ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Group Processing (cont.) • Evaluation and follow-up • Evaluate process and outcomes • Utilize results for on-going planning, improvements or revisions, and/or to contribute to professional research literature • Conduct follow-up contact with group members • Consultation and training with other organizations • Provide as needed and appropriate