The Importance Of Informed Consent In Ethical Group Practice

Acquiring informed consent in ethical group practice is not just getting a signature on a piece of paper but a process of sharing information and addressing questions and concerns.
Being a competent and responsible group leader involves obtaining informed consent from the participants including the group members you are working with (Corey, 2004). There are reasons why informed consent is important in ethical group practice. According to Corey, “If basic information about the group is discussed at the initial session, the participants are likely to be far more cooperative and active” (Corey, 2004). If the leader takes the time to discuss basic information, “The leader demonstrates honesty and respect for the members and fosters the trust
necessary for the group members to be open and active” (Corey, 2004). According to Corey, “Groups can act as powerful catalysts for personal change, and they can also pose definite risks for groups members” (Corey, 2004).
Informed consent allows the group leader to go over psychological risks. Corey states, “It is ethical responsibility of the group leader to ensure that prospective group members are aware of the potential psychological risks and take every precaution against them” (Corey, 2004). Some of the risks may include, “Life changes with disruption, hostile and destructive confrontation, scapegoating and harmful socializing among members” (Corey, 2004).
Another reason according to Corey, for obtaining informed consent from the participants is that it shares with the person their basic rights and responsibilities before starting the group (Corey, 2004). This process gives the opportunity for the person to understand what they will be required to do and then it gives the person the information to decide if they want to continue with the
group.
According to Corey, informed consent is particularly important with working with involuntary groups. Taking the time to fully inform the participants their rights and responsibilities allow the person to make an informed decision about fully participating and the consequences should they decide not to participate in the group (Corey, 2004). Informed consent again shares with the involuntary group of participants “The nature and goals of the group, the procedures to be used and what effect their level of participation in the group will have on the critical decisions about them outside the group” (Corey, 2004).
An important part of informed consent and ethical group practice is the use of a consent form. A consent form is a document that is signed by the group member, it is a way the group leader can prove that the client understands what is involved in the group he/she is joining. A consent form can be customised depending on the nature of the group.
Confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality is a crucial aspect in a consent form.
According to Corey, “Confidentiality is a central ethical issue in group counseling and it is an essential condition for effective group work” (Corey, 2004). As a group leader it is important that confidentiality is kept, as well, that the members of the group also understand what confidentiality the limits of confidentiality is and what that means within the group. One way in which a group facilitator can ascertain where a potential group member understood confidentiality is individually and as a group. According to Corey, “ If the rationale for confidentially is clearly presented to each individual during the preliminary interview and again to the group as whole at the initial session, there is less chance that members will treat this matter lightly” (Corey, 2004). As the group moves on throughout the weeks it may be prudent to discuss the maintenance of confidentiality (Corey, 2004). One other was of ascertaining a client understanding confidentiality is have them sign the consent form or contract as well, you are a facilitator must model confidentiality (Corey,
2004).
Another important aspect that should be included in a consent form is the potential risks of group work. As mentioned previously, according to Corey, “It is ethical responsibility of the group leader to ensure that prospective group members are aware of the potential risks and take every precaution against them” (Corey, 2004). Certain psychological risks may include, “Life changes with disruption, hostile and destructive confrontation, scapegoating and harmful socializing among members” (Corey, 2004). One other was of ascertaining a client understanding the potential risks is have the client sign the consent form, talk about it individually and discuss it as a group. Corey suggests, “ One way to minimize psychological risks in groups is to use a contract in which the leader specifies his or her responsibilities and the members specifies their commitment by stating what they are willing to explore and do in the group” (Corey, 2004).