Introduction
There has been an advent in the use of group counseling for the benefit of members of the community in realizing personal and community goals. Group counseling serves various purposes in schools, colleges, universities, churches, and the community. Group counseling is whereby a small number of people come together with an aim of sharing experiences, having certain, precise goals, and providing emotional support to each other (Scott, 2000). Group counseling also forms a platform to aid members to come to terms with situations and overcome life challenges. In addition, group counseling aids in the development of interpersonal skills, hence there is the need to understand the importance of ethical consideration in counseling group formation, management, and conclusion. This study aims at enumerating the ethical considerations considered in group development, management, and conclusion.
Development
Informed consent is the main ethical consideration for group counseling development where each member deserves to have access to information on the group’s purpose, rules and regulations, contribution rate, and confidence (Scott, 2000). These actions aid in the realization of the leader’s honesty, trustworthiness and create respect among members, hence leading to effective group counseling. Another ethical consideration is a screening of new members to improve the effectiveness of the group by noting the member’s needs, their fears, and not suppressing their ability to express their selves. The leader has to treat all members equally and form groups of mainly 8-12 members for effective group management and service dispensation (Scott, 2000).
Management
Ethical considerations in the management stage of counseling groups include ensuring a high level of responsibility by members. The responsibilities that have to be adhered to by group members, include punctuality, regularity, openness to others and to oneself and ensure a high level of confidentiality. A clear explanation on the importance of confidentiality to each group member forms a basis for successful group counseling. This means explaining the importance of confidentiality, instances where confidentiality can be broken legally or ethically, and usefulness to the group, hence a fundamental ethical consideration for successful group counseling. Another ethical consideration in counseling group management is the creation and maintenance of boundaries. Ensuring that members have knowledge of their responsibilities and their influences on the group and realms of their freedom within the group, in terms of action and speech is mandatory.
Provision of ways of handling early withdrawals from the group is another ethical consideration for effective group counseling (Corey et al, 2010). This is because remaining members have to be enlightened regularly on their performance, the positive influence of the group on their lives and the conception of a better approach to life from the group. The enactment of clear and concise rules governing all members is another ethical consideration for the effective management of counseling groups. To add on the above, it is ethical for a group leader to consider no imposition of personal values and beliefs on group members for the effective management of group counseling (Corey et al, 2010).
Conclusion
On group counseling conclusion or membership termination, by a member or the whole group, there are ethical considerations for assessment (Corey et al, 2010). Ensuring there are strict guidelines on membership withdrawal, member’s notification and having valid reasons are the ethical considerations for group termination. Another ethical consideration is the creation of ethical way of ending a group in a manner pleasant to all members. It should ensure all members are satisfied with the group performance and achievement of the group goals.
References
Corey, M.S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2010). Groups: Process and Practice (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole: Cengage Learning.
Scott, C. G. (2000). Ethical Issues in Addiction Counseling. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 43(4), 209- 214.