christian counseling today
Vol. 20 no. 4
43
Professional organization ethics and
legal standards for consent, confiden-
tiality, record keeping, competence,
contracting for services, and practicing
within one’s expertise must be followed
when running groups.
The American Psychological
Association Code of Ethics (apa.org,
Section 10.03 Group Therapy) states,
“When psychologists provide services
to several persons in a group setting,
they describe at the outset the roles and
responsibilities of all parties and the
limits of confidentiality.” This is the
only statement that applies uniquely
to group therapy in the APA Code of
Ethics, but infers that some signifi-
cant issues must be addressed. The
American Association of Christian
Counselors also addresses ethical
concerns related to group counseling
in their newly revised 2014 Christian
Code of Ethics (aacc.net/about-us/
code-of-ethics/).
I recommend the following is
communicated very clearly in one-on-
one screening and in the beginning
of group therapy: the purpose of the
group, who will have access to informa-
tion about the group, and how group
members should treat the information
they hear in the group. Activities, fees,
attendance expectations, consequences
of missed appointments, availability
of the therapist outside the group, and
relationships among group members
outside the group must be clearly
communicated verbally and in writing.
Client disappointments resulting in
complaints to governing boards, or
even lawsuits, most often stem from
unhappiness about role confusion,
confidentiality and management of
finances and financial information.
Dual relationships and conflict of
interest scenarios must be avoided in
psychotherapy. A counselor must be
careful if he or she is also providing
individual, couple or family counseling
to one or more group members. It is
probably safest to avoid mixing thera-
peutic modalities with clients.
In summary, I am a believer in
group therapy. I experienced it firsthand
as a participant and it is a significant
part of the success of Eden Counseling
and Consultation. Christians often
discover Christ and grow in small,
effective groups in the midst of a broken
world. The Bible tells us, “it is not
good for mankind to be alone,” and
groups provide a safe community for
healing and growth. Group therapy
offers practitioners treatment that works
financially, socially and spiritually. It is
often challenging, but the investment
yields changed lives.
✠
Paul H. VanValin,
Ph.D.,
is a Licensed Clinical
Psychologist and founded Eden
Counseling and Consultation
in 1995. A preacher’s kid
turned psychologist, Paul has
a great love for the Church and its leaders. Using a
holistic integration approach, he and the Intensive
Assessment and Consultation teams provide
individual and family care. Paul has trained dozens
of professional counselors, many now in their own
practices. He coaches leaders in personal, team and
practice development. For more information, visit
edencounseling.com.
