Legal and Ethical Considerations for Group and Family Therapy

Members of a cohesive group feel warmth and comfort in the group and a sense of belongingness; they value the group and feel in turn that they are valued, accepted, and supported by other members.

—Irvin D. Yalom, The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy

Laureate Education (Producer). (2017). Introduction to psychotherapy with groups and families [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

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Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.

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Group and family therapy offers a unique sense of community and support that may not be achieved through other therapeutic approaches. As you help clients effect change within themselves, they are able to in turn help others within the group change. Although many clients thrive in this environment, it is important to recognize that group and family therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Like any other therapeutic approach, group and family therapy has limitations that must be considered.

This week, as you begin exploring group and family therapy, you examine legal and ethical considerations of this therapeutic approach.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Standard 5A “Coordination of Care” (page 54)

Note: Throughout the program you will be reading excerpts from the ANA’s Scope & Standards of Practice for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. It is essential to your success on the ANCC board certification exam for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners that you know the scope of practice of the advanced practice psychiatric/mental health nurse. You should also be able to differentiate between the generalist RN role in psychiatric/mental health nursing and the advanced practice nurse role.

Breeskin, J. (2011). Procedures and guidelines for group therapy. The Group Psychologist, 21(1). Retrieved from http://www.apadivisions.org/division-49/publications/newsletter/group-psychologist/2011/04/group-procedures.aspx

Khawaja, I. S., Pollock, K., & Westermeyer, J. J. (2011). The diminishing role of psychiatry in group psychotherapy: A commentary and recommendations for change. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 8(11), 20-23.

Koukourikos, K., & Pasmatzi, E. (2014). Group therapy in psychotic inpatients. Health Science Journal, 8(3), 400-408.

Lego, S. (1998). The application of Peplau’s theory to group psychotherapy. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 5(3), 193-196. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2850.1998.00129.x

McClanahan, K. K. (2014). Can confidentiality be maintained in group therapy? Retrieved from http://nationalpsychologist.com/2014/07/can-confidentiality-be-maintained-in-group-therapy/102566.html

Nichols, M., & Davis, S. D. (2020). The essentials of family therapy (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Chapter 1, “Introduction Becoming a Family Therapist” (pp. 1–5)
Chapter 1, “The Evolution of Family Therapy” (pp. 6-22)

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2014). HIPAA privacy rule and sharing information related to mental health. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/special/mhguidancepdf.pdf

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.

Chapter 11, “Group Therapy” (pp. 407–428)

Document: Midterm Exam Study Guide (Word document)

Document: Final Exam Study Guide (Word document)

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Microskills: Family counseling techniques 1 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 32 minutes.

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Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Microskills: Family counseling techniques 2 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 32 minutes.

Accessible player –Downloads– Download Video w/CC Download Audio Download Transcript

Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Microskills: Family counseling techniques 3 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 24 minutes.

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Sommers, G., Feldman, S., & Knowlton, K. (Producers). (2008a). Legal and ethical issues for mental health professionals, volume 1: Confidentiality, privilege, reporting, and duty to warn [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net. [Kanopy]

Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 140 minutes.

Optional Resources

Sommers, G., Feldman, S., & Knowlton, K. (Producers). (2008). Legal and ethical issues for mental health professionals, volume 2: Dual relationships, boundaries, standards of care and termination [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.

Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 191 minutes.