Ethical Role Of Informed Consent In Multicultural Counseling

Abstract
Therapy has been used in different forms including individual and group therapies in the administration of treatment to differentiated aspects of mental health related problems with further issues linked to multiculturalism. In multicultural therapy, clients are either grouped or treated individually according to their health issues with those having similar problems being attended to by one, or in other instances more than one therapist. The success and utilization of multicultural therapy is attached to mechanisms of change where therapists develop, examine, and explore inherent relationships established within the multicultural context. This paper outlines different ethical issues arising in multicultural counseling involving group
Importantly, the element of informed consent is varied across different counselors, groups, and individuals with its purpose within the multicultural context. The notion of informed consent relates to the provision of sufficient information to a potential client requiring counseling services with elements of disadvantages and associated advantages disclosed prior to participation within the counseling process. The informed consent takes the shape of written and oral agreements with stipulation of the goals and purpose of the counseling sessions. Further information supplied relates to the expectations placed on participation within a group and the leaders. The information does not have limitations to the above aspects, but could further incorporate the likelihood of confrontations, scapegoating, pressure in participation, disturbances in association, and lack of solid guarantee on the maintenance of confidentiality amongst members. The outlining of different elements included in the multicultural session leads to informed consent with restrictions on coercion. Therapists have a burden of ensuring that the participation of members is through informed consent for persons with the inherent capability of making sound decisions while those who are disadvantaged and cannot make informed decisions
The participation in group therapies proves enthralling for participants who reap rewards beyond levels imagined. Groups provide support network while ensuring increased confidence amongst participants who relate to peers with similar problems contrary to individual therapy where a participant could feel odd within the societal confines. The process involves regular incidences of listening and talking, which facilitates in the placement of issues into perspective with an inherent diversity in the problem ranges within a group. However, the benefits of the group therapy are dependent on the leader’s adherence of ethical standards ensuring the accommodation of diversity in terms of associated problems, backgrounds, and