64th Annual Conference

Friday, March 9

Morning Workshops

10:00 A.M.-1:15 P.M.

Workshop 42

Ethical and Legal Issues in Group Psychotherapy

Presented in cooperation with the National Registry of

Certified Group Psychotherapists

Chair:    

Rebecca MacNair-Semands, Ph.D., CGP, Associate Director, Counseling Center, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina

This presentation provides updated ethical and legal information. Confidentiality obligations of the leader and group members will be discussed through examples and case scenarios. Approaches to providing informed consent for group members are explored in relation to group contracts, confidentiality laws, limits to confidentiality, mandatory reporting and privileged information.

sharing of work experiences, didactic, demonstration

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify methods of informing group members about consent and disclosure
2. Distinguish between ethical principles, codes, and state regulations
3 .Identify limits of confidentiality for members
4. Discuss the merits of providing written materials and signed informed consent forms

Course References:

1. Pomerantz, A., Ross, M.J., Gfeller, J.D., & Hughes, H. (1998). Ethical beliefs of psychotherapists:  scientific findings. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 28, 35-44.

2. Pope, K. (1998). When laws and values conflict:  a dilemma for psychologists.  American Psychologist, 43, 828-829.

3. Sim, J. (1997) Ethical decision-making in therapy practice. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann.