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

Ethics in Group Work

Questions to consider– What am I doing?– Why am I doing it?

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

Ethical Guidelines

Suggestions aimed at increasing ethical and professional behavior– Example: Association for Specialists in Group

Work Best Practice Guidelines

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

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

Ethical Considerations (cont.)

Areas in which ethical considerations may arise (continued):– Multicultural awareness– Dual relationships– Responsibility– Counselor competence

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ASGW Best Practice Guidelines:Best Practice in Performing (cont.)

Ethical surveillance– Employ appropriate ethical decision-making model

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

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