Difference between legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy and individual therapy
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Psychotherapy
is an integral part of mental health treatment. Psychotherapy involves
accepted therapies that are capable of producing change or maintain
acceptable behavior or function in individuals and families as well as
alleviate emotional distress or symptoms that affect individual or
family growth and development (American Psychiatric Nurses
Association-APNA, 2014). Like in every profession, there are always
rules and regulations that guide the actions. Psychotherapy of any type
allows the therapists to get to individuals or families confidential
issues. Therefore, the legal and ethical rights of the people involved
must be considered and respected. However, it is crucial to understand
the differences between individual, family, and group therapies.
Difference between legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy and individual therapy
When
it comes to the ethical and legal considerations in psychotherapy,
Miller (2018) identified the following essential issues; Responsibility,
Confidentiality, personal value as well as informed consent.
Responsibility: The therapists must understand her limits in each type
of therapy. In individual therapy, the therapist has a one to one
relationship with the client; however, the relationship differs in
family therapy and group therapy, the therapist views the family or the
group as one unit and acts as the group leader, facilitator,
environmental manager, educator/teacher, and or cheerleader. The
therapist is committed to promoting the welfare of every member involved
in the treatment process.
Confidentiality, on the other hand is one
vital ethical issue in psychotherapy. In individual therapy, the
therapist is concerned with keeping the information of the one
individual in confidence, whereas in family therapy, confidentiality
becomes very crucial. Though the family is considered as one unit, every
individuals secret or information must be kept in confidence. Every
member must understand the issue of confidentiality. This issue of
confidentiality becomes more difficult in group therapy than individual
therapy due to more chances of leakage or breach of confidentiality
among the group members. Confidentiality should become one of the most
critical group norms, and it should be discussed openly, thoroughly, and
often among group members (McClanahan, 2014). Another ethical issue is
respect for personal value. It is easy to study and respect individual
and family values and culture. However, in group therapy, the counselor
has a more significant work of studying every member of the group to
avoid offending anyone or be misunderstood.
One
important legal consideration in psychotherapy is the issue of informed
consent, either individual, family, or group therapy. In individual
therapy, therapeutic consent is required from the one individual. Any
sharing of information must be consented and signed by the individual.
Whereas in family therapy, every member of the family involved or
invited must consent for the therapy. The therapist must uphold the
individual clients confidentiality to other family members. The same
applies to group therapy, where every member of the group consents to be
involved in the group. The level of information shared is determined by
each member of the group while the group leader holds everyones
information in confidence.
Impact of the differences in legal and ethical considerations in individual, family and group therapy
As
a PMHNP, understanding the importance of confidentiality will help in
safeguarding every individuals information. Building trust and
confidence between the therapist and the clients depends on respecting
the individuals family and group values and cultures. For any
therapeutic approach, the patient must consent to treatment to avoid
breaching professional guidelines and avoid possible lawsuits from
patients and families. The PMHNP should address the issue of
confidentiality to individual clients, families, and group members
before embarking on any therapeutic counseling. Though family therapy
members are seen as an entity, the therapist must understand the
importance of maintaining the confidentiality of information of every
member of the family. Finally, consent must be received and signed for
any information to be released or shared to avoid violation of
confidence and The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPPA). HIPPA is one of the acts that guide the practices of a nurse
when it comes to Group and Family Therapy. Clients benefit when
information is kept confidential, and a trusting relationship can be
achieved. The disclosure of private information without client consent
can harm the therapeutic relationship even when such disclosures are
mandated by law (McClanahan, 2014). So as a PMHNP, I must recognize the
importance of individual consents both in individual, family, and group
therapy, respect each value and maintain the confidentiality of
information as part of my work as a therapist.