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Group Therapy Ethics Essay Example

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Group Therapy Ethics Essay Example
Ethical Issues and Group Therapy 2

Abstract Ethics in group counseling is a topic that needs to be looked at by today’s practicing counselors. There are many different agencies and organizations that are promoting ethics in counseling. Each organization has different views on what is needed. This report will highlight some points by a few different organizations and give their takes on what they feel is important. The report will also talk about the need for education on the reasons people need therapy. People who need therapy may not be getting the help they need because of lack of education. It is important to remember that the members of the group need to be able to look up to the people that are leading them. Without ethics, this will not happen.

Ethical Issues and Group Therapy 3 There are many issues associated with group therapy that can provide troubles for a counselor and group. The American Counseling Association (ACA) is a group that has put out ethic guidelines for counseling in hopes of helping to eliminate some of these issues. The ACA come out with the ACA Code of Ethics (2005). This code goes into detail on many aspects of counseling from confidentiality to training and research to resolving ethical issues that come up. Section B.4 of the ACA Code of Ethics (2005) talks about specific areas that need to be taken into consideration in group and family therapy. Section B.4.a goes further into group work. It states that counselors need to be able to clearly explain parameters and the importance of confidentiality in a group setting. Sense group therapy differs from individual therapy; assuring confidentiality is needed in order to have trust with the group members. In group therapy, members are encouraged to discuss their problems openly and honestly with the other

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