Ethical and Legal Considerations of Group Therapy - Assignment Example

Abstract: There are certain ethical and legal issues that should be considered when dealing with high-risk populations in group therapy. Therapists should seek the informed consent of the group, protect their confidentiality and respect the dignity of clients’ by avoiding discrimination in their work. Introduction High-risk population for group therapy The high-risk population that needs group therapy is drug abusers who share same syringes and are at risk of contracting infectious diseases such as immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) and viral hepatitis. The risk mainly stems from sharing contaminated needles and also engaging in risk behaviors such as unprotected sex due to intoxication. According to existing research, intoxication due to drug abuse impairs the judgment thus drug abusers are at risk of engaging in commercial sex, contaminated needle sharing and risky sexual encounters thus increasing the likelihood of HIV infection (Brabender, Smolar & Fallon, 2004). It is estimated that 10 percent of the global HIV new infections occur due to sharing needles during substance abuse or engaging in risky sexual behaviors (Brabender, Smolar & Fallon, 2004). Sharing the needles and other injection equipments are twice likely to transmit HIV virus than normal sexual intercourse. For instance, Hepatitis C virus which one of the leading a cause of liver cancer is highly prevalent among the drug abusers sharing contaminated needs and usually co-occurs with HIV infection. The group therapy I will provide will include African-American men aged between 20 to 35 years who abuse drugs and frequently share needles with their peers (Brabender, Smolar & Fallon, 2004). Ethical and legal considerations The role of group therapist should be to facilitate the interactions between the group members. The therapist should encourage clients to achieve their personal goals. The group therapist is usually bound by many ethical and legal considerations. Some of the ethical issues that may arise include the issue of informed consent to the therapy while legal issues include personal confidentiality and privacy (Brabender, Smolar & Fallon, 2004). One of the ethical considerations is the informed consent of the members. The group therapist should not force clients to participate in the counseling without obtaining their free consent. The group therapist should value the equality and esteem of the members by observing their human dignity and welfare issues in counseling. The informed consent of the members requires the therapist to discuss the potential risks and benefits of therapy and all other possible therapy or treatment options before starting the therapy. The therapist should also discuss issues regarding to physical touch, expected behaviors and observe the patient safety during the therapy (Shulman, 2011). The second ethical consideration in group therapy is avoidance of conflict of interest or dual relationships. Romantic and personal relationships are unethical in group therapy. Any provocative or sexual relationships with any member of the group violate the professional ethics of the group therapist. The financial dealings or any loans of money from the members should be avoided since this violates the ongoing professional relationships and creates a conflict of interest in group therapy (Remley & Herliny, 2009). Legal considerations in group therapy Group therapists should be aware of the legal considerations in their counseling activities. Misconduct or omissions in their work can lead to legal proceedings. Some of the legal considerations in group therapy include adherence to privacy and confidentiality issues, and avoidance of discrimination in group therapy (Remley & Herliny, 2009). The therapist should preserve the confidential information and medical information privacy of clients. Unauthorized disclosure of such information can lead to hatred or loss of reputation in the society thus leading to costly legal suits. Some of the damages that clients may suffer include the imputation of a certain serious disease or criminal activity in the patient (Shulman, 2011). The second legal consideration in group therapy is avoidance of any discrimination of the clients. The therapist should not discriminate the members on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin or any physical disability. The therapist should be sensitive to the members’ cultural values and beliefs and assist the members exploit their own beliefs and values (Jacobs, Masson & Harvill, 2009). Addressing ethical and legal considerations in group therapy I will ensure that I explain the purpose and risks associated with the drug abuse therapy to the group members and request if they are willing to undergo the therapy. I will also preserve their confidentiality by changing their identity and preventing any unauthorized access of their medical information. I will develop cordial relationships with the group members and ensure professionalism by avoiding all possible conflicts of interest such as financial dealings and rewards from the members (Welfel, 2012). I will observe the legal considerations pertaining to therapy such as avoiding discrimination by understanding each member’s personality and culture. I will ensure their safety through following the established therapy procedures and avoiding any possible harm that they may suffer from the therapy (Jacobs, Masson & Harvill, 2009). Differences in ethical and legal considerations for the group if the treatment setting was inpatient versus outpatient Both inpatient and outpatient group therapy will offer the same counseling and treatment for the drug abusers with a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other related diseases. Inpatient group therapy occurs within the treatment centers while outpatient group therapy occurs outside the treatment facility (Welfel, 2012). Inpatient group therapy is costly but the drug abusers will feel more secure and access therapy on a daily basis. Inpatient group therapy has a higher potential of ensuring patient confidentiality and privacy than outpatient group therapy. In outpatient group therapy, I will ensure more confidentiality protection measures since the society has the potential of accessing private medical information and intimidating the drug abusers. Outpatient group therapy has more potential of discrimination since inpatient group therapies are mostly guided by the therapy center guidelines that include non-discrimination policies. For outpatient group therapy, the drug abusers may not be willing to attend all treatment schedules thus I will ensure that I develop cordial relationships with each group member (Welfel, 2012).. Conclusion Group therapists should follow certain ethical and legal considerations in their work. Therapists should ensure confidentiality of the client information and seek the consent of the clients before engaging in the treatment. Group therapists should also ensure the clients’ safety and avoid any discrimination in their work. References: Brabender, V., Smolar, A & Fallon, A. (2004). Essentials of group therapy. New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons. Jacobs, E., Masson, R & Harvill, R. (2009). Group counseling: strategies and skills. Belmont. Thomson. Remley, T.P & Herliny, B. (2009). Ethical, legal and professional issues in counseling. New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons. Shulman, L. (2011). Dynamics and skills of group counseling. Belmont. Cole Publications. Welfel, E.R. (2012). Ethics in counseling and psychotherapy. Belmont. Wadsworth. Read More