This paper is a literature review of ethics within group and individual counseling. This paper reviews the foundation of ethics in the profession of counseling and evaluates the level of ethics in counseling. The different steps and roles that a leader plays in the realm of group counseling and individual therapy will be assessed on the code of ethics and value system of the counselors. This paper will also look at the initial stage and the ending stage of the group to determine the importance of ethics in each step of the group session process as well as the ending stage of individual counseling.
Also the evaluation of cultural diversity among group leaders and group members was looked at to explain the level of importance cultural bias may play in ethical decision making. Standard of Ethics in Group and Individual Counseling Ethics in Counseling As the foundation of our guide in the decision making process for our clients, Ethics is the key for counseling professionals. No matter what work atmosphere a counselor is in, the counselor will face daily moral obstacles.As a counselor, one must be able to make ethical decisions through challenging conditions and determine the best path that will eventually be the best alternative for the clients. For this to take course, the counselor must be knowledgeable of professional and personal matters that may sway their decision, when it comes down to the livelihood of the clients, other counselors, and the profession as a whole (Houser & Thoma, 2012). The ACA (The American Counseling Association) developed a code of ethics that is utilized throughout the profession of counseling.
Even with the code of ethics set in place many violations still take place. According to Moorhead and Levitt (2012), 20% of complaints occurred based on the sexual interactions between the counselor(s) and client(s). There are an abundance of illustrations that indicates ethical misconduct amongst counselors and their clients. When violations take place there are several professional bodies such as licensing boards that mandate additional ethics training for counselors to regain an order of ethics instead of them losing their professional license or memberships.These processes take place in order for counselors to understand the standards that are set by the code of ethics and help them regain a balance between the client counselor relationships.
Ethics are the foundation to professional counseling, but we also must look at the counselor’s personal standards and decision making skills. Personal values and beliefs is a critical component within the ethical counseling process. In the regards of group counseling and therapy, there are a few more variables that counselors have to consider when applying a standard of ethics towards a group setting.Ethics in Group Counseling Group counseling session typically consist of a small group, ranging from 7-10 individuals of different race, creed, and ages as members. Each member of the group provides their own information based on their thoughts and behaviors pertaining to the session. As a member of the group each individual have to fulfill the expectation that are required of the group which are, being involved in the process by providing feedback, assisting in solving problems, and supporting other members.
A key member of the group session is the leader.The leader of the group typically has specific training, such as group counseling techniques to help create a healthy environment, to build trust openness, accountability amongst group members (Houser & Thoma, 2012). As the leader of the group, you must display the characteristics of an individual that behaves accordingly to the standards of a leader, which will provide a guide for the members of the group to follow. As the leader of the group it is important to set a standard of ethical awareness for the members of the group based on the problems that are associated with the group.When dealing with members of the group the leader may encounter many problems such as; verbal abuse, having lack of control of influencing members of the group, confidentiality, poor screening, etc. Even though group session has it benefits that empower the clients, it still has a lot of potential that can cause harm for the participants (Fisher, 2012).
Hence it’s imperative that the group leader’s talents, characteristics, and intelligence in group sessions are so vital to the quality of the outcome of the group members. Ethics in Individual Counseling The same rules apply for individual counseling.As the counselor of an individual session it’s highly important that standards are set for the session. The client must have an understanding of what the session will be about and understand the rules of the session. For individual counseling it’s more important that the counselor’s abilities, talents, and characteristics shine due to the more personal sessions and the one-on-one time and trust building that have to take place.
Also the assurance for the client that these sessions are within the standards of ethics is important due to the personal interaction between the client and counselor.As the counselor, one must make that client aware of the confidently guidelines and the informed consent. This allows the security of the client and counselor relationship to become stronger and that any barriers won’t be crossed (Sanders, 2013). Clients’ Rights Prior to joining group, most group members are unaware of their rights and responsibilities. As the leader of the group, it’s the responsibility of the leader to inform the members of the group of their rights, which typically takes place at the screening meeting.
In regards to individual counseling, the process is more of the same.Except within individual counseling the client has more of a screening process towards the counselor. During the screening session the basic information is provided to the group members so they can get familiar with the process, which will allow them to participate more freely and be cooperative during the group sessions. Also during the initial session the leader of the group will provide policy information to build trust amongst the members of the group as well as provide the informed consents for the participants.For good practice purposes, group values, limitations, and psychological risks are discussed to prevent or minimize potential risk amongst members. As a leader of a group, one will allow time for the members to get comfortable with the group and other members by allowing members of the group time to acknowledge what their ultimate goal of achievement.
The leader of the group will set his goals at task for the members of by laying the foundation for the members, such as members’ rights, attendance, being on time to sessions, being venturous as a member, and being able to communicate with the leader and members of the group. The counselor of an individual session also has to set goals for the sessions that take place.The leader of these session have a little more time to develop the understanding of the rules for the client, so the client can get a better understanding of what the leader has in store for the sessions as well as for the leader to retrieve the clients expectations. One process that takes place for the productivity of the group members is the screening. Group leaders conduct a screening process to determine if the individuals are compatible for a group and to determine if the individual’s goals can be obtain within a particular group.
During this session the group leader also inform members of the group about sexual harassment. Members of the group also have the right to feel secure, not having unwanted sexual advances, verbal and physical contact that are sexual in nature. Group members also have the right to feel safe amongst the leader of the group. It is highly important that the group leader provides a safe environment and that the leader and group members relationship remains professionally platonic, to avoid improper sexual relationships among group members and members of the group and the leader.A vital responsibility of the group leader or counselor is teaching members of the group about confidentially.
As one of the significant factors of behavior in a group, confidentiality occurs best through open discussion amongst group members rather than doctrine of the leader. The topic of confidentiality is normally brought up during the open screening interview and at the end of the group session. Once the leader of the group has established the importance of confidentiality the members of the group will follow.Overall all it the members of the group to respect the rule of confidentiality and see that it cared out amongst one another. Group Leader Values The values of the group leader can really make a difference upon a group.
It is important that the group leader has a good value system to instill among the members of the group. Some traditionalist feels that a counselor or leader of the group value system should be neutral from the perspective of the group, but many have realized that, that would be a difficult task.Counselors and leaders are not put in place to persuade members of the group with their values, but it is important that the group member’s values are clear so that can be the focal point of the group. Also leaders must be aware that they don’t place their value systems upon individuals of different diversities. The group counselor’s cultural bias which at times influences their thinking and behavior, may in turn affect the way that they interact with the clients of the group based on their culturally differences.
Group leaders that display a sense of ethics, spend time within the opening sessions acknowledging the cultural differences of the individual members and beliefs, which the leader must establish goals that will tie in with the cultural values of the group (Fisher, 2012). Members Closure The ending phase of a group offers the chance for members of the group to discuss the meaning of their experience, acknowledge the gains that were made, new beneficial behaviors and attitudes that they may carry out that they have learned from the session that they notice from the progressions in their daily lives.The ending stage is not just vital to the members of the group but to the leader of the group as well. It is important that the leader of the group does not unnecessarily halt on the ending of the group based on his/her feelings of perfection or the lack of trust of the members of the group abilities to function without the group. It is best according to Fisher 2012, that the members of the group be reminded periodically how many sessions that they have left. An important process within the ending stage of the group sessions is the follow-up process.
The follow-up process is beneficial for the leader of the group as well as the members of the group, holding a place of accountability for both parties. It also evaluates both the process of group counseling and the experiences of the group members. Closer for individual counseling sessions are more personal and have more follow-ups. Within individual counseling, the clients really only has the counselor to turn back too, even though they may have a support system, the counselor is the main source of contact when a problem arises and the counseling sessions have come to an end.
As a leader or counselor of individual therapy follow-ups are important not just for the client but for the counselor as well. With group counseling there is closure and follow-ups, but the members have the affordance to interact with other members, with individual sessions the client only has the counselor to fall back on, so the counselor must be confident that the goals were met during the sessions and that closure was properly done (Sanders, 2013).Ethical PracticesAs leaders of a group, there are expectations within the code of ethics that are expected to be followed within their professions. As professionals within the industry of counseling, they are subjected to penalties and other disciplinary actions if they are caught doing anything that are not upheld with in the standards of the code of ethics. Within in group sessions, if members of a group can prove that some harm, misconduct, or injury has occurred by the actions and hands of the leader or by the leader’s failure to provide inadequate services, which will result into a malpractice suit.
When a therapist or counselor breaches his or her job in providing sufficient practices and a possible injury is sustained, this is considered a form of negligence. As a leader of group, you must keep up with the type of practices that are being used as well as the laws of the state where the group session take place. Also they type of individuals that the groups are for, such as kids and adolescents. These types of groups require a more structured practice and rules and regulations are different based on the state laws.As group leaders, the best way to avoid any form of disciplinary actions or penalties is to take preventive measures, follow the ethical standards that are set, and remain professional (Fisher, 2012). More so for individual counseling, the leader must be aware that the client/counselor relationship does not cross the lines into an inappropriate relationship.
Due to the closeness and the personal dialogue that takes place, it is more frequent that these relationships crossover to more personal relationships.As the leader, one must be clear with the purpose and the rules of the sessions and that once that relationship and or rules have been strained or cross as the leader he or she must bring those sessions to an end. Also as a leader, he or she must not misuse there power within individual sessions. Leaders of individual sessions have the capability at times to misuse there powers by influencing the client in ways that are beneficial to the counselor, making sexual advances, etc. These types of actions are in violation of the code of ethics and serve penalties and corrective measures can take place.
