Ethical Information
Informed Consent Discussions in Group Therapy
| A. Informed Consent Topics To Cover in Forming Group: | |||
| 1. Provide same basic information as to individual clients (see chart) | |||
| Limits of confidentiality (i.e., when you might disclose w/o consent) Nature, purpose, and anticipated course of services Fees and billing arrangements Client’s right to refuse services Involvement of any outside party (e.g., court, DSS, etc.) |
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| 2. Clarify your role(s) | |||
| Within group, is your role exactly the same with each person? Do you have outside roles with some members, not others? |
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| 3. Clarify your rules for communications outside group meetings | |||
| Your confidentiality/disclosure rules if contacted outside Your confidentiality/disclosure rules if individual therapist to some Participants’ rules for outside contact/disclosures/discussions Rules about confidentiality after group ends |
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| 4. Are there potential conflicts of interest?
5. HIPAA “Notice of Privacy Practices” about access to records. |
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| B. Re-Opening The Informed-Consent Discussion: | |||
| 1. Whenever a new member enters the group.
2. Whenever a group member raises questions about the above topics. 3. Whenever group dynamics create need to re-state the “rules.” |
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