The Importance Of Informed Consent In Ethical Group Practice

Acquiring informed consent in ethical group practice is not just getting a signature on a piece of paper but a process of sharing information and addressing questions and concerns.
Being a competent and responsible group leader involves obtaining informed consent from the participants including the group members you are working with (Corey, 2004). There are reasons why informed consent is important in ethical group practice. According to Corey, “If basic information about the group is discussed at the initial session, the participants are likely to be far more cooperative and active” (Corey, 2004). If the leader takes the time to discuss basic information, “The leader demonstrates honesty and respect for the members and fosters the trust
Informed consent allows the group leader to go over psychological risks. Corey states, “It is ethical responsibility of the group leader to ensure that prospective group members are aware of the potential psychological risks and take every precaution against them” (Corey, 2004). Some of the risks may include, “Life changes with disruption, hostile and destructive confrontation, scapegoating and harmful socializing among members” (Corey, 2004).
Another reason according to Corey, for obtaining informed consent from the participants is that it shares with the person their basic rights and responsibilities before starting the group (Corey, 2004). This process gives the opportunity for the person to understand what they will be required to do and then it gives the person the information to decide if they want to continue with the
According to Corey, “Confidentiality is a central ethical issue in group counseling and it is an essential condition for effective group work” (Corey, 2004). As a group leader it is important that confidentiality is kept, as well, that the members of the group also understand what confidentiality the limits of confidentiality is and what that means within the group. One way in which a group facilitator can ascertain where a potential group member understood confidentiality is individually and as a group. According to Corey, “ If the rationale for confidentially is clearly presented to each individual during the preliminary interview and again to the group as whole at the initial session, there is less chance that members will treat this matter lightly” (Corey, 2004). As the group moves on throughout the weeks it may be prudent to discuss the maintenance of confidentiality (Corey, 2004). One other was of ascertaining a client understanding confidentiality is have them sign the consent form or contract as well, you are a facilitator must model confidentiality (Corey,