Summary: Ethical Issues Unique To Group Therapy

Another ethical issue unique to group therapy is involuntary group members. Leading groups can be difficult and challenging, especially for member who are involuntary. Dealing with involuntary members in the group leading process can negatively increase a level of difficulty and create a new dynamic within the group. The Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) and the American Counseling Association’s (ACA), state that group leaders normally screen prospective group members and identify group members whose needs and goals are compatible with the group goals, however many group leaders find themselves dealing very difficult groups that involve involuntary members. An involuntary member are members who are mandated or assigned a