...Ethics in Counseling Abigail T. Kitts Liberty University Abstract Introduction Ethics in therapy is currently a hot topic in the counseling realm. Especially ethics as they relate to group therapy. Group therapy is a common form of therapy utilized by many counselors. This type of therapy encompasses an entirely different set of ethics than that of individual counseling. There are numerous reasons for why a counselor may elect to use group therapy rather than individual therapy. The American Counseling Association (ACA) has developed a code of ethics for the counseling professional in order to provided a universal guideline for all counselor to abide by. Within the code of ethics provided by the ACA are codes that cover areas of the counseling relationship, confidentiality and privacy, professional responsibility, relationships with other professionals, evaluation, assessment, and interpretation, supervision, training, and teaching, research and publication, distance counseling, technology, and social media. All of these areas are further divided into subcategories in order to include all aspects ethics in the counseling relationship. Each of these sections provided by the ACA are important to a counselor practicing in a group setting, however, not all of these areas are applicable to the group counselor. Ethical Issues Unique to Group Therapy Group counseling offers many relationships, in order to assist an individual in growth and problem-solving...
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...Ethics in Group Counseling vs. Individual Therapy: Who’s up for Group? Annette Taft HSCO December 6, 2015 Abstract This research paper will explore the professional code of ethics that a counselor should designate to the group or individual in order to conduct an affective session. Ethics are specific guidelines that help a professional operate with educational, cultural and scientific value applied to a particular setting. In this paper will also explore the ethical issues that can influence group therapy, individual counseling, and the reasons why one setting may be beneficial then the other. Key words: Ethics, Professional, In this busy robust world counseling has become the norm. People have become to use counseling as a way of settling disputes, talking out their own issues, or just support for a friend. Nevertheless, it transitions into the lives of society today, helping people to live functioning lives in this topsy-turvy world. Making a decision of whether to choose group counseling or individual therapy has become often a hard decision. Group counseling and individual counseling are both functional ways of therapy although the ethical practices may be different. This research paper will explore the professional code of ethics that a counselor should designate to the group or individual in order to conduct an affective session. Ethics are specific guidelines that help a professional operate with educational, cultural and scientific value applied to a...
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...Running Head: ETHICAL CONCIDERATIONS FOR GROUP LEADERSHIP Ethical Considerations for Group leadership in Counseling David Cook Liberty University HSER 511-04 Dr. Pinkston July 4, 2014 Abstract Ethics has been in the forefront in the counseling field, especially in the recent cases of PTSD and military and family counseling. This type of family and group counseling presents new ethical considerations for professionals. Group leaders have to be aware of new updates in the code of ethics and legal responsibilities while showing empathy and leadership in the group. The viewpoints in this paper will consider those codes from the perspective of a professional Christian leader. Viewpoints will include techniques for group participation, professional training for the leader, confidentiality considerations, ethnic and cultural awareness and ethical financial practices. There will be a focus on the personal relationships within the group setting and how the leader can effectively control the ethical relationships. This paper will present a personal testimony on Christian qualities that direct leadership and ethical considerations in treatment in family healing. Ethical Considerations for Group leadership in Counseling Professional counseling and group therapy has received more recognition in the past few years and the subject of ethical practices, as a result, has become more important and relevant. Codes for ethical practices have...
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...Ethics in Group and Individual Sessions Liberty University Abstract In today’s culture more individuals are beginning to look for leadership and/or help with individual problems or concerns from therapists. This paper will compare therapy with a group vs. therapy in an individual session. Looking at the possible barriers and or challenges being therapists may possibly experience throughout the sessions they are facilitating. The paper will discuss the efficiency as well as the inefficiency of both group and individual therapy. It is very imperative for therapists to apply moral ethics in their practice. Study from several academic periodicals, trainings and textbook understandings are noted features for this paper. Groups The implementations of ethics in counseling is not to micromanage and/or try to inform someone of how to do their job, it is provided in order to help counselors and other professionals maintain standards within the profession one is in and it is the standard of behavior or action in relation to others. “A code of ethics for most professional organizations or associations is designed to articulate the standards of practice for a group of people.” (Kocet, 2006). Although ethics have many definitions, they are all intertwined to state the same meaning. According to Jacobs (2012), “Most ethical problems and situations deal with therapy and growth groups...
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...address the topic of ethics in group counseling. This author will define what group ethics is according to the psychological organizations such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the Association of Specialist in Group Work (ASGW). This author will also address what the American Association of Christian Counselor (AACC) has to say about the ethical standards for Christian Counseling. To effectively practice ethically group therapy a counselor needs to internalize the morals, values, and behavioral makeup of each individual within the group. This paper will also look at the comparison between group and individual psychotherapy and why a counselor will choose between the two. The group processes in both individual and group psychotherapy are a positive catalyst for personal growth within the individual psyche. Whereas group therapy tends to address interactional and interpersonal, individual therapy usually looks at the intra-psychic. Group therapy has been proven to have effective treatment benefits in the treatment with various psychological and personal problems. The final section will address the ethical challenges this author may face and her biblical perspective in counseling, her personal leadership qualities and her personal approach to group counseling. Counseling in our society has gone through multiple changes in the recent years. More individuals are looking into receiving support and guidance in the way of group counseling. Due to the increase...
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...Group Therapy In today’s society, when seeking professional help, there many different types of therapy to choose from. Of the many types of therapy, two of those include group therapy and individual counseling. Group therapy consists of a group of people who meet with a therapist or counselor for the purpose of sharing their problems and providing support for each other. Individual counseling consists of a person (client) meeting with a counselor or therapist one-on-one to discuss whatever problems they may be having. Although both methods of counseling are valuable, for the purpose of this portion of research, group therapy will be examined and the ethical challenges faced when using this form of counseling. Group therapy is often times described as one of the most effective and beneficial kinds of treatment. It is believed that because all members in the group share similar issues, contributions from the other members are valuable to the individual. This form of counseling brings together individuals with similar issues and it allows people to see that they are not alone. There are other people who may be experiencing or going through the same issues. According to Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, & Schimmel (2012), “Any helping professional who is looking for an economical and effective means of helping individuals who share similar problems and concerns should use groups” (p. 2). Knowing that other people have some of the same issues can also be comforting to someone who might not...
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...This is what I am expected to do. Assignment 2: Ethics Review In this assignment, you will explore professional counseling ethical codes. You will examine multiple codes of ethics to assist in practicing CMHC in an ethical manner. You will also familiarize yourself with the sections of the codes that govern your responsibilities as a counseling student. Tasks: * Compare and contrast the ACA's, the AMHCA's, and the NBCC's codes of ethics. * Describe your responsibilities as a student as per the ACA's and the AMHCA's codes of ethics. Your final product will be a 3- to 5-page Microsoft Word document written in APA format, utilizing at least three scholarly sources. Your paper should be written in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. This is the grading rubric Assignment Components | Proficient | Max Points | | | | Compare and contrast the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA), and National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) codes of ethics. | Thoughtful and insightful understanding of the parallels and variations between the ACA, AMHCA, and NBCC codes of ethics is reflected. Accurate analysis and synthesis of the ethical codes reflects an appropriate connection between the three codes. | ...
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...Term Papers and Free EssaysBrowse Essays Read full version essay Aca Ethics Aca Ethics Print version essay is available for you! You can search Free Term Papers and College Essay Examples written by students!. Join Essays24.com and get instant access to Aca Ethics and over 30,000 other Papers and Essays Category: Psychology Autor: anton 15 November 2010 Words: 1489 | Pages: 6 Running head: Ethics Paper ACA Code of Ethics and AACC Code of Ethics; what are the Similarities and Differences? Abstract The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA Code) and the American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics (AACC Code) has many similarities as well as differences. Codes of ethics are designed to protect the client, counselor and the profession. This report will compare and contrast three separate areas within each of the two ethics codes. All areas of the ethics codes are important; however the three that have been chosen are of particular interest to the writer. Two of the areas that are addressed, confidentiality and sexual intimacies, come from duties to the client and the last area, reporting colleagues, comes from duties to the profession. ACA CODE OF ETHICS AND AACC CODE OF ETHICS, WHAT ARE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES? In the field of counseling, either secular counseling or Christian counseling ethics play a large and vital role. The ACA Code serves five main purposes. The five purposes...
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...Code of Ethics: American Counseling Association (ACA) versus American Association of Christian Counseling (AACC) Kristen Howard Liberty University Abstract The American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) have unique Codes of Ethics as they relate to each profession. The ACA Code of Ethics was designed as a set of guidelines for counseling professionals to adhere to for keeping their sessions ethically in line, to help society’s quality of life and indorse respect for every human’s dignity and diversity. The AACC Code of Ethics was created for the Christian Counselor community in an effort to assist counselors with not only boundaries of unethical counseling practices, but also, provide education for counselors in becoming helpers with ethical excellence capable of securing the best outcomes in counseling for their clients. The AACC Code of Ethics takes what the ACA Code of Ethics entails and expands it further with the foundation of biblical principles to help the counselor and clients. Both ethics codes were designed to create the best counseling result for both the professional counselors and their clients. The differences and similarities between the ACA and the AACC Codes of Ethics will be addressed in greater detail, along with three specific areas of ethical concerns: informed consent, counseling fees, and sexual intimacies. Code of Ethics: American Counseling Association (ACA) versus ...
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...Group therapy has gained popularity in a gradual but steady way in the contemporary society. The main feature of group therapy is group counseling, which involves people forming support groups for self-help and support about a common problem. A therapist engages a group in planned counseling sessions by using a custom made programmed for them. The group’s proper existence, progress and ethics are of great importance for it is a reflection of the groups conduct in their relation. Basically, ethics give a definition of the agreed upon do’s and don’ts in the group activity .It therefore stands that, group’s discipline is a great determiner for group success or failure. Of worth importance is group trust among the members of group members of the therapy for maintenance of credibility in their activities. Without maintaining trust within a group, it is not possible to achieve cohesion (Baum, 2005). Trust is essential in group therapy because it will enhance openness and the members will be able to share freely. Indeed, this is an essential ethical issue that should be considered in group therapy. Respect and professionalism are key elements that a therapist should possess in handling group members while maintaining a firm leadership of the group. Therapists are the chief custodians of the group; hence, they need to cultivate a culture of ensuring that every member is treated with respect and honor. This is feasible in ensuring that the rights and liberties of every person are observed...
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...Running Head: COUNSELING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Stepping up Counseling Responsibilities in a Socially Unjust Society Abstract Social Justice has been an emerging issue over the last century in today’s service environment of helping professionals. I reviewed several articles where the main theme is; we live in a world of systems that allow for injustice and oppression. The Professional Counselor’s work deals with many of the symptoms that permit for this injustice and oppression. The articles had similar recurring traits that are stressed as important practices that need to be adopted by Professionals in the helping field to increase awareness of social justice and implement actions for change in a socially unjust society. I will explain the four main attributes: knowledge, awareness, research and advocacy and explain how education and focus in each area will contribute to the social justice inequities in the communities we practice. If professional counselors want to promote social justice, to be effective, there has to be a movement to take action on the burdensome stigmatisms and unfortunate inequities that human beings bring to professionals about the communities they live in. Social justice and the counseling profession have roots that goes back to the 1900’s. It has always been understood from a social work point of view that problems such as depression, anxiety, and abuse often derive from economic...
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...References ACA code of ethics. (2006). Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD, 84(2), 235-254. http://search.proquest.com/docview/218970374?accountid=12085 Anderson, J. (2008). Report: Counseling Violates Ethics. OB GYN News, 43(1), 23. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA218818205&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty Crethar, H. C., & Winterowd, C. L. (2012). Values and social justice in counseling. Counseling and Values, 57(1), 3-9. http://search.proquest.com/docview/1014186598?accountid=12085 Furr, S. R., & Barret, B. (2000). Teaching group counseling skills: Problems and solutions. Counselor Education and Supervision, 40(2), 94-104. http://search.proquest.com/docview/61815010?accountid=12085 GROUP WORK/GROUP THERAPY. (2004). Social Work Abstracts, 40(4), 408-409. http://search.proquest.com/docview/191252010?accountid=12085 Guterman, J. T., & Rudes, J. (2008). Social constructionism and ethics: Implications for counseling. Counseling and Values, 52(2), 136-144. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/207562280?accountid=12085 Hartman, D., & Zimberoff, D. (2012). Ethics in heart-centered therapies. Journal of Heart Centered Therapies, 15(1), 3. http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?action=interpret&id=GALE%7CA302900156&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&authCount=1 Kanani, K., & Regehr, C. (2003). Clinical, ethical, and legal issues in e-therapy. Families in Society,...
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...Technology in Mental Health Counseling Tiauana Robinson MidAmerica Nazarene University The section on the American Mental Health Counselors Association “About Mental Health Counselors” upholds a great deal of information. It answers a variety of questions that the profession has on a daily basis such as “What is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor? Where can you find a Clinical Mental Health Counselor? What makes a good counselor? And What exactly is the American Mental Health Counselors Association?” To summarize and answer these questions a clinical mental health counselor is simply an individual in the helping field that provides flexible consumer oriented therapy that withholds the proper education, practice and training in the national standards. You can find a mental health counselor in various settings such as Psychiatric Hospitals, private practices, substance abuse treatments and etc. I also found the YouTube video titled “Evidence-based Treatment: What does it mean” and it gives advice on how to find a good counselor by reviewing three facts 1. Number of Studies: same outcome by different people in different settings 2. Quality of Studies: the treatment is being compared to another treatment with individuals being assigned to the treatment groups randomly and the groups are the same in the beginning but one group will have a better outcome ...
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...Ethics Paper Abstract In today’s society there are many health care professionals who have to conduct group sessions. It is imperative that for the safety of every client and therapist that a thorough training in ethical standards are established. In laying the foundation for ethical standards it is essential to establish boundaries for what exactly constitutes group work. Many people within group therapies will have different ideas and opinions based upon their own interpretation, morals, beliefs, cultural influences, and personal experiences. Within a group session there is a high standard of ethical behavior to protect the members of the group, the facilitators and anyone else involved in the group dynamics. This essay will provide information about how group sessions are conducted, common ethical issues within group therapy and how these issues compare to those from individual counseling. Ethics in Groups Introduction According to Kemp (2010) therapeutic communities consist of having qualities of belonging, governance, communication, interdependence and participation and are known as groups or group counseling. Within group sessions there is a common issue that each individual are coping with. The group is encouraged by the leader to express themselves and give feedback. Each person in the group, including the leader, are to provide new ways of behaving and to tackle issues that an individual presents in a session and provide one another with an opportunity...
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...Topics include: the nature and scope of counseling, the definition of ethics and its meaning for professional counselors, and the relationship between counseling and professional ethical practice as defined by the American Counseling Association. The variety of agency and school settings are examined to illustrate the specific ethical guidelines that apply to schools and agencies. Professional norms, such as non-malfeasance, patient autonomy, and confidentiality are explained. (3 credits) TEXT: Ethics in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Standards, research and emerging issues (4th edition) Elizabeth Reynolds Welfel (2013) Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage ISBN13: 978-0-8400-2858-7 American Counselor Association Code of Ethics http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=4 Code of Ethics of the American Mental Health Counseling Association. Available on-line at www.amhca.org/ethics.html American School Counselor Association Ethical Standards for School Counselors, Available on-line at www.schoolcounselor.org/library/ethics.pdf Program Outcomes (PO) – Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Program Outcome (PO) Code | Program Outcomes (POs) | Program Goal (PG) Alignment | * PO1 | * Students will identify and describe the application of the American Mental Health Counseling Association standards in order to qualify to take the licensing examination in Mental Health Counseling required by New York State |...
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