Ethical Issues Flashcards
Ethical Issues
pertain to standards that govern the conduct of professional members.
Legal Issues
define the minimum standards society will tolerate, which are enforced by the rule of law at the provincial and federal level.
Clinical Issues
involve using your professional judgement to act in accordance with ethical and legal mandates.
Cultural Issues
are factors such as a person’s ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, values, or other differences that affect the way we understand and intervene with clients’ problems.
Informed Consent
- Discuss the norms of confidentiality with the group. Role model confidentiality
- Provide group members with sufficient information in order to
– evaluate personal risks and benefits
– With enough time in advance to evaluate
*Basic information about group treatment is provided to enable individuals to make rational decisions about their participation in the group.
What concerns would you have as a member of a group?
What questions would you have about confidentiality?
What would you want to know in order to feel safe in making personal disclosures to the group members and leaders?
- The topics to be discussed;
- Qualifications of the leader;
- Techniques that may be used in group;
- Risks and benefits to participating;
- Nature and limits of confidentiality.
Involuntary Membership
- You have been told you are required to participate in a group.
- Clearly and fully inform members of the nature and goals of group;
What procedures will be used; - The rights of members to decline certain activities;
- Limits of confidentiality;
- Ways active participation in the group may affect their lives outside of the group.
- Critical to not let negative attitudes of some members contaminate the entire group experience.
- Must inform members of both their rights and their responsibilities.
Examples:
-addictions, forensics, divorice (have to take this course before you can see your kids)
-You can feel anxious, on guard, not trusting
In a group you leading, one member suddenly gets up and walks out: Freedom to Withdraw
-ex hand signals to say its okay or you need time to yourself
-have a co leader so that someone can be avalible to go check on others, help establish those group norms, etc.
Leaders must have clear policies around attendance.
Important members discuss leaving the group with the group and leaders prior to deciding.
Leader should discuss possible risks involved in leaving prematurely.
Important that there is no pressure on the member to stay.
Must consider why people may want to leave – reflective of how they behave in daily lives.
- May struggle with handling conflict;
- May struggle with strong emotion;
May be physically there but emotionally absent.
Care taken in orientation to inform re nature of group; importance of commitment to process; importance of talking about their concerns; leaving may negatively impact trust especially if they just stop coming.
What particular Psychological risks would concern you as a member of a group?
Vicarious trauma, transference
1. Misuse of power – use power to empower members by helping them to discover inner resources and capacities.
2. Self-disclosure
3. Maintaining confidentiality
4. Scapegoating
5. Confrontation
Psychological Risks
- Ethical responsibility of leader to ensure members are aware of the potential risks and benefits to participating in the group.
Expected that leaders:
* Discuss advantages and disadvantages of a given group;
* Prepare members to deal with any problems that might come out of group experience;
* Alert members to fears and reservations members might have but are not expressing.
Reduce risks by: knowing members limits; respecting their requests; developing an invitational style vs pushy style; avoiding assaultive verbal confrontations; describing behaviour vs making judgments; present hunches in a tentative way vs forcing interpretation
You are a member of a group, and then group leader tells you that “anything said in this group stays in here.” Does this satisfy any potential concern you may have regarding confidentiality?
Not good enough because there are exceptions to this: ie saftery thing
What are you allowed to share/say and what’s not allowed
May not be possible to prevent some members from disclosing personal information about others in the group.
Subtle breaches of confidentiality may be unintended.
Risk of breaches heightened when members use social media.
Talk about own feelings and experiences in their group with persons outside of group BUT may not tell another person’s story.
Confidentiality and Minors
Must know the laws in the jurisdiction where you are working.
- Definition of an emancipated minor;
- Rights of parents to access records.
BEST PRACTICE – notify parents or guardians that their children are participating in the group.
- Obtain written permission from parents or guardians.
- When parents request information – give some feedback but take care not to reveal specifics.
- Offer a session involving one or both parents, child and group leader.
Ethical bracketing
the process of intentionally setting aside our personal
values to provide ethical and appropriate counseling
Scapegoating
an individual member may be singled
out as the scapegoat of the group. Other group members may “gang up” on
this person, making the member the focus of hostile and negative confrontation.
Clearly, the group leader should take rm steps to eliminate this behavior
and explore what is happening within the group. Generally, it is a good
practice for the leader to explore what is going on with the person doing the
scapegoating before focusing on the person being scapegoated
privileged communication
means that these professionals cannot break the con-
dence of clients unless
(1) in their judgment, the clients are likely to do serious
harm to themselves, others, and/or physical property;
(2) abuse of children or
the elderly is suspected;
(3) they are ordered by a court to provide information;
(4) they are supervisees in a supervisory relationship; or
(5) the clients give speci c
written permission.
