select one of the In-Class Activities at the end of chapter on ethical and legal issues in group counseling and discuss the ethical/legal issue that applies to a group counseling situation and discuss with empirical support how you would handle that situation. Confronting gossiping. Have you ever heard the statement, “Whatever is said in this room, stays in this room.” As a group leader working with minors, one must make every effort to make certain student information is kept private and confidential. Group leaders are held to ethical, legal and clinical professional standards and are required to make decisions that protect all members from harm. According to ASCA Ethical Standers (A.2.a), “the professional school counselor, informs the counselee of the purposes, goals, techniques and rules of procedures under which she/he may receive counseling at or before the time when counseling relationship is entered.” When a leader becomes aware that rules are being violated or broken, one should address the whole group. …show more content…
When students disrespect other members by gossiping, this unacceptable behavior could destroy the group. The counselor should address the whole group, first by reviewing the rules and policies regarding confidentiality and privacy. Students will be more willing to participate and feel comfortable with one another if they believe information shared would be kept private. The counselor should address the group by stating, “If anyone has anything they don’t agree with or have a disagreement with a member of the group please discuss issues or concerns within the group not outside the
I believe the school psychologist was not acting ethically. According to Standard I.1.1, "parent consent is required if the consultation about particular child or adolescent is likely to be extensive and ongoing and/or if school actions may result in a significant intrusion on student or family privacy beyond what might be expected in the course of ordinary school activities." Since the counseling group would be considered "extensive", the school psychologist needs a formal approval or denial of the services she intends to provide. The school psychologist also decided to send a letter explaining what the counseling session. While the letter does seem to provide extensive information on the sessions, the school psychologist has no way to know if the parents received the letter, or if the
When any type of bullying is involved it is imperative for a counselor to be aware of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) letter. This letter states that some cases of bullying may be handled under the federal civil rights statues and regulations, requiring the school to directly handle the harassment (Stone, 2017). The letter gives the school the authority to conduct an investigation so they can determine what the appropriate course of action is needed. As a Professional School Counselor, you must consider all points of confidentiality of the victim by letting both victim and parent know that any outside disclosure concerning the bullying event (i.e. names of perpetrators) will negate the confidentiality between you and them. Professional School Counselors must understand the Jessica Logan Act, which recognizes cyber bullying, sexting, and dating violence as forms of bullying. When there is suspected child abuse or neglect, Professional School Counselors must report all suspected cases to authorities while continuing to protect the victims privacy (ASCA,
There is no umbrella category that specific behavior or confidential conversations would fall under as every circumstance is different. “It is all-important to remember that practical or moral rules are only general an always admit of exceptions.” (TEXTBOOK p 51). The final call will be based on the best interest of the minor student with or without explicit
Chapter 135-7-03 of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (2014) stipulates that confidentiality especially of client information must be observed at all times. The counselor should safeguard the client’s information to the extent stipulated by the law. The American Counseling Association (2005) incorporates confidentiality as part of their Code of Ethics. It requires counselors to keep the counselor-client relationship and information shared confidential. In the case of group counseling it stipulates that provisions must be stated that protect confidentiality. The counselor must clearly record and keep the client information confidential at all costs. According to the Texas certification Board of Addiction Professionals, the chemical dependency specialist has a duty to protect the privacy of clients and must not disclose information obtained fro...
Using the IMED the counselor would first recognize that CRW elements exist within the ethical dilemma and then identify them. For example, Ana got a bad grade on the math test after she had been given supports, and that may make her father feel as if she is bringing shame to the family. Next, the counselor would take into account the school policies and procedures, and ethical and legal issues such as that any abuse or suspected abuse must be reported to child protective services (State of Hawaii, 2007). Additionally, the counselor must take into consideration the ethical codes that would apply to this case. The counselor would consider the limits of confidentiality, such as American Counseling Association ([ACA] 2014) ethical standard B.2.a, and American School Counselor Association ([ASCA] 2010) ethical standards A.2.c and A.2.d, which all ethically support a counselor’s breach of confidentiality when there is foreseeable harm to the student. The counselor must also recognize the student’s developmental and chronological age when determining the risk of harm to the student (standard A.2.c [ASCA, 2010]). Next, the
Ethics is the judgement and the moral actions used in interactions with cultures and society and its focus is on the client well-being. Ethics is defined by Remley and Herlihy (2010) in the counseling field as “professional behavioral and interactions” (p.4). Counselors do rely and are guide by Codes of Ethics. The role and relevance of the ethical principals, the ACA and AMHCA Code of Ethics are the base of the counseling profession. Without them this career would not have a guide on how the professionals should act and react professionally in all the different situations that are faced in this field.
A counselor should always keep their thoughts to themselves and remain open-minded about the situation. The only time a counselor should share their thoughts is if it helps the client with their situation that they are dealing with. “Counselors must practice only within the boundaries of their competence (Standard C.2.a.), and, if they “determine an inability to be of professional assistance to clients” (Standard A.11.b.), they should facilitate a referral to another provider. (Kocet, M. M., & Herlihy, B. J. (2014). Addressing Value-Based Conflicts Within the Counseling Relationship: A Decision-Making Model. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 180-186 7p. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00146.x).” Keeping your thoughts to yourself is
Ethical issues in a counseling practice lay the foundation of a therapist in practice. Ethics are at the center of how the counseling process functions and operates in a successful manner for the clients who seek help in such a setting. In order for the counseling profession to be ethical and hold professional recognition, there are many facets that need to be examined and outlined to make sure all counselors and practitioners are functioning at the highest level and withholding their duties required by the counseling profession. The first introduction so to speak of the area of ethics also happens to be one of the first steps in counseling, which is the informed consent. The informed consent provides the basis of what happens or will be happening in a counseling setting and serves to inform the client to their rights, responsibilities, and what to expect. Most importantly, the informed consent is in place for the client’s benefit. It also is important to understand that culture and environment play a role in the treatment of a client and how theories can positively or negatively impact this treatment. Therapists need to understand how to work within the context of a theory while being able to understand the individual in their own environment. Although theories are put into place to serve as a framework, there are also alternative ways to approach counseling, one example being evidence-based practice. Such an approach is very specific, which presents a series of solutions for counseling as a whole, but also brings forth many problems. Every approach or theory introduces ethical concerns that need to be taken into consideration by the entire counseling community and how each can positively and negatively affect clients and the pr...
Ethics is important for both group and individual counseling, especially group counseling. Both are beneficial; however, group counseling allows a counselor to work with a small-to-medium size group of people who share similar struggles. Members have the ability to learn from one another. Ethics in group counseling is crucial because the counselor or group leader is not only responsible for one person’s personal struggles, but the struggles of multiple people within the group. Counselors and group leaders must emphasize confidentiality in group counseling sessions, unless what a person is sharing is a danger to themselves or others, or against the law. Group counseling has many positives; however, it is important
Many of people around the world find group counseling beneficial, but still there are some that disagree. The prediction of a person’s behavior in the group counseling process is important for the sake of both the group and the individual. This article covers the behind the scenes look at each of these behaviors and what role it has in a group. They wanted to examine whether a person’s behavior in a counseling group can be explained by means of self disclosure and attachment. I think that a person’s behavior can be explained in any setting based upon disclosure and attachment.
Through the process of this class I have been able to reflect and analyze how I am as a leader as well as a co-leader in a group setting. I believe throughout this process of being part of a group as a member and leader has help me further define the roles that I will play in group counseling in the future. The evolution that I am seeing are an abundance of growth in areas that I thought I was already comfortable in such as being an active listener and co-leading. I see that there are more to becoming a powerful leader and facilitator. There are various aspects of becoming a well rounded group leader as learning the skills to endure especially building your endurance. Also, being able to take risks, being competent and confidence in your ability to lead a group of any sorts. Moreover, I have found that my communication style has shifted especially learning about the process in which you communicate your informal introduction as well as the lingo that is being used as a counselor. Also, the way in which we approach each member of
Ethics in the counselling and psychotherapy protects the client and the therapist involved in the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process as a whole; with the concepts that act as a guide for the therapists in provision of good practice and care for the client. The framework is built on values of counselling and psychotherapy; principles of trustworthiness, autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence and self-respect, and provides standards of good practice and care for the practitioner (BACP, 2010). Ethical framework contributes to the development of the therapeutic relationship and process by assisting therapist’s decisions, and guides their behaviour and proceedings within their legal rights and duties. The ethical frame is structured on the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship and the therapists should be aware of their categories and be responsible for their forms. Monitoring and being aware of what goes on in and out of the room physically, emotionally and psychologically is primarily the duty of the therapist.
In the case study of Gwen, there is one major problem presented. That problem is whether it is ethical for a supervisor to counsel his supervisee. I think that Gwen is going through the grieving process after learning about her mother’s condition and is in a vulnerable spot. She feels like she cannot continue her work with hospice patients because of personal feelings. Ken thinks that Gwen is a great therapist and does not want to see her give up. He also feels like he would be the most effective person to give Gwen counseling, because of their trusting relationship. I think that this would be a bad idea and could cross professional boundaries. The Ethical Guidelines for Counseling Supervisors strongly suggest against a supervisor entering in a psychotherapeutic relationship with supervisees. It is important to limit the possibilities of a dual relationship. Dual relationships can easily become unethical and present problems or possible harm to the client, which in this case is the supervisee. They can also create dependency or have unfavorable symbolic meanings. I also do not think it was a good idea that the counseling happened in the supervision sessions. This time should be spent on improving knowledge and helping clients. Spending most of the supervisor sessions working on personal problems could potentially harm the progress and well-being of the supervisee’s clients. My reaction to Ken blending the roles of supervisor and counselor is that it was not a good, professional, decision. He has entered a dual relationship with Gwen that could potentially cause harm to her or create a conflict of interest. Since Ken is Gwen’s supervisor, he has more power over the relationship than Gwen does. This power can easily be abused by Ken...
Basically, all parties need to be considered, mainly the students. Although the counselors are busy, the health of students matters. Both parties must be worked with, to reach an agreement that is mutually satisfactory. I believe that teaching all students about warning signs and reducing the responsibility of Natural Helpers could accomplish
According to Piper (2008), “The patient in group therapy is continuously exposed to others. Confidentiality is impossible to guarantee in a group. There is also a diminished sense of safety for many patients in a group. This is related to the control issue but more explicitly to the fact that criticism may come from many different directions from a number of different people. Being overwhelmed with criticism in a group is a common anticipatory fear of patients. In summary, issues related to a lost or diminished sense of control, individuality, understanding, privacy, and safety can lead to greater anticipatory and experienced anxiety for patients in group therapy compared with those in individual therapy” (p.130). In order to avoid an ethical issue involving confidentiality, the leader must assure that rules and regulations are set and abided by the group members. In the initial meeting, the leader should explain confidentiality to the group, in efforts to avoid an ethical