63rd Annual Conference

Session 229
Ethics in Group Psychotherapy: Record Keeping and Professional Liability

Presenter:

Sherrie Smith, LCSW, CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, Fairport, New York

Knowledge of different ethical systems and decision-making models and their impact on group therapy is essential to effective clinical practice.  As therapists it is often difficult to remain current on legal and ethical considerations related to professional decision-making.  This presentation focuses on helping the participant to gain further mastery of issues related to record keeping and professional liability.  Specific areas that will be covered include consultation parameters, record keeping, HIPPA considerations, approaches to gathering client histories, standards of care, and common ethical oversights.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Explain the value of consultation with supervisors, peers and experts in the field to their clinical practice.

2. Discuss the legal implications of keeping group notes.

3. List the 9 recommended elements of a documented client history.

4. Describe three common ethical oversights.

Course References:

1. American Psychological Association. (1993b). Record keeping Guidelines. American Psychologist, 48, 984-986.

2.  Forester-Miller, H. (Ed.) (1990). Ethical and Legal Issues in Group Work (Special Edition). Journal for Specialists in Group Work. 15(2).

3.  Schoener, G., Luepker, R. & Thompson, E. (1996). Boundaries in Group Therapy: Ethical and practice issues. New York: Guilford Press.