...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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...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: 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 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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...Running head: GROUP COUNSELING IN SCHOOL-AGE YOUTH Ethical Concerns in Group Counseling School-Age Youth Liberty University Abstract Youth spend most of their time at school, and receive most social services on campus. This includes counseling. Counseling in schools, historically, consisted of career or college entry counseling. With the growing mental health needs of the populous, schools have been expanding the roles of schools counselors to include facilitating mental health/support counseling and moving towards a counseling psychology framework. Because of the number of students that have to get serviced, using group counseling sessions is a useful and practical option for counselors. Group counseling can be a helpful technique for people with similar habits or people who have possibly experienced a traumatic event. With the good that comes with group counseling, like camaraderie among students, there are always causes for concern, like confidentiality issues. This review examines the ethical dilemmas and differences between individualized counseling and group counseling in schools. Research has shown that using counseling groups and group therapies can make a difference in the outcomes of a lot of cases, but experts in the field have also had concerns about what could happen in a group setting, and how that could negatively affect a client, or the group of clients. Those concerns become even greater when dealing with groups of youth at school. Studies...
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...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 are summed up as, clarification to members the nature of ethical responsibilities, helps support the mission of the association, establishes principles that define ethical behavior, serves as an ethical guide to help members construct a...
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...Ethical Issues in Group Counseling COUN 612: Mental Health Ethics, Law and Practice April 28, 2011 Introduction Group counseling offers multiple relationships to assist an individual in growth and problem solving. Groups are an excellent treatment choice for numerous intrapersonal and interpersonal issues, and in helping people to change. Groups provide a sense of community to its members allowing them to see that they are not alone. In group therapy sessions, members are encouraged to discuss the issues that brought them to therapy openly and honestly. It is the responsibility of the counselor to work to create an atmosphere of trust and acceptance that encourages members to support one another. This atmosphere is developed and maintained from the initial intake of a client to the close of group. Many ethical dilemmas and questions arise for group therapists, a few of which will be addressed here: group work with diverse populations; rights of clients, informed consent and confidentiality; and involuntary clients. Description of Topic More recently group therapy has been widely used in the mental health field. There is a natural power in a therapeutic group that helps to bring about personal change for group members (Corey, Corey & Corey, 2010). Groups are designed to remediate specific problems or even prevent problems. It is the responsibility of the group leader, or counselor, to consciously acknowledge human diversity in society and the group setting. If a therapist...
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...students who mostly come from a single parent home are translations from a group home into a two parent are a single parent home does not have the love and support of their parents or any family member. The lack of attention and communication they needed. Parents must recognize the importance and providing Maslow Hierarchy of needs with proper discipline is very important to a child’s development. Many youth are assigning to an alternative school, or become juvenile delinquents because of the violence they see in their environment and society. They come to school always on the defense feelings and emotions build up without knowing how to balancing out all the anger, all the emotional ties that goes with the rejection, pain and feeling helpless. The desire and compassion I have to help each child as a whole brought me to the human service field. Group process will equip me with the necessary tools I need to be more effective working as a human service generalist. Learning the different style of group counseling, strategies skills and dynamics will help me to become more skillful as a human service provider. A social worker is a board field with different types of avenues. I am more interesting in working with at risk youth and families as a whole. Dealing with the psychological and social needs, counseling the youth and parents learning the different styles of group dynamics and different kinds of groups will be very beneficial to my profession. As a human Service generalist...
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...Issues in Groups Abstract This paper will discuss the ethical issues that may arise during group counseling. Examples will be provided and points will be stated to avoid such ethical issues from arising. If ethical issues of come forth the paper discusses how a leader should handle such issues whether it is with the leader itself, a group member, or the group as one. Key ethical issues discussed will be confidentiality, leader values, relationships, encouragement, and commitment. Ethical Issues in Groups Introduction Ethical issues will occur in any type of counseling. When groups are established and consist of individuals with similar issues the leader must ensure that ethical boundaries are not crossed. This includes: confidentiality with leaders and group members, encouragement, relationships, leader’s values, and commitment to the group. The use of proper ethical standards will establish the proper structure for a group to be successful on an individual level as well as a group level. When ethical standards are upheld, the group will be viewed by its members as a safe, secure, and private environment in which they can share, trust members and the leader, and develop a bond with the entire group. This bond is the basis for such success. Confidentiality It is a necessity for all groups to maintain a form of confidentiality. This is to ensure that the leaders and the members of the groups feel as though information they have shared will remain in the group. Group members...
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...The Heart of Counseling Joe Frazier Liberty University Abstract Ethics and ethical behavior is indispensable in the therapist-client relationship. The professional organizations for psychotherapy professionals have recognized the need to formalize baseline behaviors in codes of ethics that give the minimum standard of practice for therapists. An examination of the aspects of confidentiality, competence, dual roles, sexual intimacies and termination will demonstrate the need for and directed guidelines for ethical behavior. The Bible offers inspiration for the provider of soul care and shows that counseling is an activity that Jesus would endorse as an extension of His hands. Ethics at the Heart of Counseling Introduction The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of ethics in psychotherapy and in the therapeutic relationship. A brief history in the area of ethics will be observed followed by noting the importance of ethics within to psychotherapy. Five aspects of psychotherapy relating to ethics will be discussed with a review of the major codes of ethics. The identity and function of the counselor will be related to maintaining an ethical practice. A biblical view on the need of ethics will shown and the perspective of the writer will be stated. History and Development of Ethics in Psychotherapy A code of ethics is a set of principles of conduct within an organization that guide decision-making and behavior of their membership. All major mental health...
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...Prescription Drug Abuse Leader: Group Purpose: The purpose of this group is to discuss the issue of prescription drug abuse and how we as potential LCDCs plan on dealing with this problem. Process: Group meetings will take place on weekly basis on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. Gilbert Arias will be group leader. Group members are encouraged to participate and give feedback. Rules : Confidentiality is of utmost importance in the group experience. All members are required to maintain confidentiality with regards to all members. All confidentiality rules that apply in individual counseling will apply in group for_________. Consequences of breaching confidentiality can be detrimental to the group process and is therefore taken very seriously. Group members are expected to maintain regular attendance at this group for its duration. Acknowledgement of Commitment Please sign and date the following statements to confirm your acknowledgement: I agree to maintain confidentiality concerning what others say and do in group I agree to obey the rules the group adopts. Signature____________________ Date_______________ Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction • Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. • The National Institutes of Health estimates that nearly 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription...
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...As counselors when dealing with group counseling sessions of children of divorce, we have to deal with the developmental responses of the children while aiding them to label and understand their feelings. Also, as children come to recognize their peers in the group, they at least become aware that others are having similar feelings and experiences, develop an understanding the divorce procedure, learn new coping skills, and feel value in themselves and both their mother and father (Beckman,...
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...ACA Code of Ethics 1. Confidentiality Confidentiality is a demonstration of respect bestowed on the client by the counselor wherein information between the two will not be divulged by the counselor. 2. Exceptions to Confidentiality danger to the public supercedes the protective privilege of a therapeutic relationship. a. Duty to Warn b. Clear and Imminent Danger changed to “ 3. Record Keeping 4. The ACA Code of Ethics serves five main purposes: 5. 1. The Code enables the association to clarify to current and 6. future members, and to those served by members, the 7. nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by 8. its members. 9. 2. The Code helps support the mission of the association. 10. 3. The Code establishes principles that define ethical behavior 11. and best practices of association members. 12. 4. The Code serves as an ethical guide designed to assist 13. members in constructing a professional course of action 14. that best serves those utilizing counseling services and 15. best promotes the values of the counseling profession. 16. 5. The Code serves as the basis for processing of ethical 17. complaints and inquiries initiated against members 18. of the association. 19. The ACA Code of Ethics contains eight main sections that 20. address the following areas: 21. Section A: The Counseling Relationship 22. Section B: Confidentiality, Privileged Communication...
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...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, although...
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...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 in counseling theories...
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