Throughout this course, students will engage in four discussions with your classmates. These discussions are designed to foster a scholarly community of learning, where participants engage in meaningful dialogue, contribute original insights, and expand their understanding of the coursework through critical reflection and academic discourse.

Thread

Discussion Thread: Group Counseling and Ethics

For this final discussion, you will address the issue of ethics in group psychotherapy. For this discussion, one of your sources must be a professional code of ethics. Choose one of the ethical dilemmas in the document listed below in the Resource section and answer the following prompts:

1. Identify which dilemma you chose.
2. Explain the ethical dilemma you see and which professional code of ethics this violates.
3. Discuss the best next steps to resolve the ethical dilemma.

 

Your thread must respond thoughtfully to the provided prompt or case situation for the specific Module: Week. It should reflect doctoral-level analysis, demonstrating a deep understanding of the relevant coursework and theoretical frameworks. Your thread must be well-supported with at least two recent (published within the last three years) scholarly, peer-reviewed sources both must be from a peer-reviewed journal. Resources should be used to support the integration of Scripture, to include biblical commentaries, Chaplain resources, Christian counseling resources, etc. The use of the textbook and the Bible is encouraged, but does not count toward the required two peer-reviewed resources. Each source should be integrated into your thread to support your arguments with evidence-based research, reflecting critical engagement with academic literature.

In addition to scholarly support, your thread should:

• Meet the required word count of at least 400 words of content (not including the references).
• Exhibit a high standard of academic, professional writing, free from grammatical errors.
• Adhere to current APA formatting for citations and references, including correct use of in-text citations, paragraph formation, and reference formatting.The below are taken from the following text: Brown, N. W. (2018). Psychoeducational groups: Process & practice (4th ed.). New York: Routledge. ISBN: 9781138049390, p. 174.

  Presented are four group situations that can present ethical dilemmas. Read these and choose one to answer the discussion prompt:

  1. The group for adolescents had met for four sessions when the group leader brought in a new member. During the introduction, the leader revealed that the new member was depressed because of his father had moved out. The group leader obtained this information during the screening process, and had suggested that the client disclose this to the group. The client said that he would think about it, and matters were left there. He did not give the group leader his decision before entering the group.
  2. Five counseling interns who were working at the same mental health agency went to lunch at a restaurant, and began discussing some cases they had that were presenting difficulties. They were careful to not use names of clients, but did give some of the clients’ personal information to help clarify the difficulties they were having. One intern leading a group of young adults being treated for alcohol abuse, described a group member as being extremely resistant. Another intern contributed a possible reason for the resistance, as she knew the person’s concerns from the intake interview.
  3. The leader of an adult group comprised of court mandated males tried hard to encourage group interaction and participation, but members continued to resist. One member in particular was sullenly silent during sessions, even when he was invited to provide input. His behavior was brought to the group’s attention during the current session and members expressed concern and displeasure with his behavior. He finally stood up and angrily said that he was leaving the group. The group leader proposed that he stay and try to work things out with the other group members, but he left the room. The leader reported the event to the court.
  4. The group leader had personally benefited from the empty chair technique demonstrated in one of his graduate counseling classes, and decided to use it in his group.
     

     Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

     Step-by-Step Guide for Completing Your Discussion on Group Counseling and Ethics

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     1. Read and Understand the Prompt:

        • Your task is to address an ethical dilemma in group psychotherapy. You’ll need to select a dilemma from the provided text and analyze it according to the professional code of ethics.

        • The prompt asks for a thoughtful response that demonstrates a deep understanding of the coursework, theoretical frameworks, and ethical guidelines, with scholarly support and academic writing.

     2. Step 1: Choose an Ethical Dilemma

        • Review the four ethical dilemmas provided in the resource section.

        • Select one of the dilemmas to discuss in your post. Be sure to understand the scenario fully as it forms the foundation of your analysis.

     3. Step 2: Identify and Explain the Ethical Dilemma

        • Once you’ve chosen a dilemma, identify which one you selected (e.g., adolescent group with a new member, counseling interns discussing cases, court-mandated group member behavior, or the empty chair technique).

        • Clearly explain the ethical dilemma. What is the core issue? What makes this situation an ethical concern? Focus on the specific action or decision that could potentially violate ethical principles.

     4. Step 3: Relate the Dilemma to the Code of Ethics

        • Refer to the professional code of ethics (you can use the ACA Code of Ethics or any other relevant ethical guideline provided in your course materials or research).

        • Explain how the dilemma you’ve selected violates the code of ethics. Identify the specific ethical standards or principles that are in question (e.g., confidentiality, client autonomy, professional boundaries, etc.).

     5. Step 4: Suggest the Best Next Steps to Resolve the Dilemma

        • Discuss the best course of action to resolve the ethical dilemma. How should the group leader or professionals involved respond to the issue in a way that aligns with ethical guidelines?

        • Provide a reasoned argument for how these actions will uphold ethical standards. You can refer to ethical decision-making frameworks and professional guidelines to support your proposed solutions.

     6. Step 5: Incorporate Scholarly and Biblical Support

        • Support your analysis with at least two recent scholarly, peer-reviewed sources. These should be from credible journals and published within the last three years. You can integrate your textbook, but it does not count toward the required two peer-reviewed sources.

        • Additionally, include relevant Biblical perspectives or counseling principles that align with ethical standards. This may include Christian counseling principles, Scripture, or Chaplain resources.

        • Use these sources to strengthen your analysis and reasoning for resolving the ethical dilemma.

     7. Step 6: Structure Your Thread

        • Your discussion thread should have the following structure:

          1. Introduction: Briefly introduce the ethical dilemma you’ve chosen and its relevance to group counseling.

          2. Ethical Dilemma Analysis: Describe the dilemma in detail and explain how it violates the professional code of ethics.

          3. Proposed Next Steps: Offer your solution to resolve the dilemma based on ethical guidelines.

          4. Scholarly and Biblical Integration: Support your solution with recent scholarly sources and relevant Biblical or Christian counseling perspectives.

        • Be sure to meet the required word count of at least 400 words (not including references).

     8. Step 7: Academic Writing and Formatting

        • Your writing should meet doctoral-level standards, reflecting critical thinking and high-level analysis.

        • Ensure that your thread is free from grammatical errors, adheres to APA formatting (including citations and references), and is well-organized.

        • Use in-text citations for your scholarly sources and ensure that the references section is formatted correctly.

     9. Step 8: Review and Submit

        • After writing your discussion thread, proofread it for clarity, coherence, and adherence to assignment guidelines.

        • Double-check that you’ve met all the requirements: 400 words, scholarly sources, APA formatting, and integration of the professional code of ethics and biblical principles.

        • Once you’re satisfied with your thread, submit it on time.

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     By following this guide, you will be able to thoughtfully address the ethical dilemma, analyze it in relation to professional ethics, and provide a well-supported, scholarly response. Good luck!

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