...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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... 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 for learning...
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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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...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...
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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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...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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...Ethics Paper: Individual or Group Therapy HSER 511 Liberty University Abstracts The paper researches the ethical issues faced in group counseling. It also shows a comparison of individual and group counseling. The paper discusses issue of confidentiality, and how it affects group counseling. Confidentiality is considered cornerstone to counseling (Kocet 2006). It is very important for the counselor to reinsure that the client understands confidentiality policies. When dealing with adolescents, confidentiality rules and regulations are the same as adults. Counselors are bound by the same rules and regulations to keep the client’s (the minor) records privileged, but in cases of immediate danger or harm to others the counselor can disclose information to the minor’s parent. I think that I was direct leader, and I utilize several of the qualifications and skills that I learned in the class. Ethics Paper: Individual or Group Therapy When seeking help, it is very difficult to decide what type of therapy to choose. Because we have different situations and problems, the decision to choose individual or group therapy could be a very hard one. Many clients choose to benefit from both individual and group therapy. Groups can be a valuable resource to clients and helping them work out their...
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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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...pressing ethical dilemmas for group therapy is the issue of confidentiality. The APA Ethical Guidelines provide good general information about maintaining confidentiality in therapeutic relationships. Psychologists have a primary responsibility to protect confidential information recognizing that the extent and limits of confidentiality may be regulated by law. Psychologists discuss with persons with whom they establish a professional relationship, the relevant limits of confidentiality and the foreseeable uses of the information. The discussion of confidentiality occurs at the outset of the relationship and thereafter as new circumstances may warrant. Group workers have the responsibility to inform all group participants...
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...Protecting Clients from Harm through Ethical Codes, Informed Consent and Confidentiality Cydne-Ann A. Grobri Liberty University Abstract One of the primary reasons for the creation and use of ethical codes within helping professions is to educate the professional about acceptable ethical behavior and to protect the well-being of clients. The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (2008) illuminates that the code “sets forth values, ethical principles, and ethical standards to which professionals are to aspire and by which their actions can be judged.” (Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics). A helping professional is required to be ethically, clinically and legally-minded to safeguard the client and/or public during all interactions within the client/counselor relationship, arguably at the point of advertisement about the availability of service. This paper will examine the actions of a community college counselor and how her neglect to utilize codes of ethics and sound judgment put her in a predicament where she may have caused harm to the participants in her group. We will also explore a practical decision making model that will demonstrate that the helping profession has to begin applying principle and virtue ethics from the outset of the client/counselor relationship opposed to the initial meeting. Keywords: group session, confidentiality, ethics, disclosure, legal, ACA Protecting Clients from Harm through Ethical Codes, Informed Consent and...
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...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. During a group therapy session members are encouraged to discuss the issues that brought...
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...Group :9 abdulatif ibrahim almulhim 2140001216 Ibrahim alkhatib 2140010045 Mohammed alanazi 2130008809 Ali Awad Define and arriculate hoe eTherapy could be viewed as in information system (input)(processing )(output constituents ) ? E-therapy is a term that has been coined to describe the process of interacting with a therapist online in ongoing conversations over time when the client and counselor are in separate or remote locations and utilize electronic means to communicate with each other. It is a relatively new modality of assisting individuals resolve life and relationship issues. E-therapy utilizes the power and convenience of the internet to allow simultaneous (synchronous) and time-delayed (asynchronous) communication between an individual and a professional. For the purposes of this paper, e-therapy is defined as a licensed mental health care professional providing mental health services via e-mail, video conferencing, virtual reality technology, chat technology, or any combination of these. It does not include self-help methods such as public bulletin boards or private listservs. E-therapy is not psychotherapy or psychological counseling per se since it does to presume to diagnose or treat mental or medical disorders. However, e-therapy is flexible enough to also address many difficulties which clients present to the online therapist. As in other types of therapy, such as bibliotherapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation...
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...The second kind of gene therapy is somatic therapy. At the beginning of this therapy it was designed to treat inherited diseases which include, cystic fibrosis, which is a hereditary diseases which can lead to respiratory infections. but now they believe which gene therapy they can find treatments for cancer, arthritis and infectious diseases. out of the two therapies somatic therapy has been focused on. not only for its safer and more educated reasoning but also of the ethical aspect of it, as if only effects the one person and cant be genetically passed down through generations. although this therapy has been around for a very long time researchers say that there is still a lot of work to be done. there are many positive sides to the treatment,...
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...He uses psychodynamic therapy by asking open ended questions. For example he asked Sophie why she was laughing about the “flying into the street” comment. Paul actively listened to her response and circled back to her strong feelings about her mother. Weston looked for parallels between her words and her life experiences for example when she referred to the law suit as a test (In Treatment, 2008). She wanted Weston to write in her report that she wasn’t crazy. and that she just wanted him to write in the report that she wasn’t crazy and this was the test she did not want to...
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