Week 4: The Knowledge Base of Group Work Practice
Groups and group work exist in every social service agency. Every clinical social worker is likely to work in a group at some point in his or her career. Therefore, understanding group methodology is critical for all social workers. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (2017) requires all social workers to practice competently and to use evidence-based interventions. Understanding the research-based group interventions and the components of group work, such as confidentiality, is part of practicing ethically.
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Socw 6121 week 4 assignment
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Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze strategies for ensuring confidentiality in group work
- Compare confidentiality in group and individual settings
- Evaluate appropriate types of group models
Learning Resources
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing
[Vital Source e-reader].
“Working With Groups: Latino Patients Living With HIV/AIDS” (pp. 39–41)
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Chapter 11, “Task Groups: Foundation Methods” (pp. 336-363)
Chapter 12, “Task Groups: Specialized Methods” (pp. 364–395)
Himalhoch, S., Medoff, D. R., & Oyeniyi, G. (2007). Efficacy of group psychotherapy to reduce depressive symptoms among HIV-infected individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 21(10), 732–739
Lasky, G. B., & Riva, M. T. (2006). Confidentiality and privileged communication in group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56(4), 455–476.
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Chapter 1, “Introduction” (pp. 1–42)
Chapter 2, “Historical and Theoretical Developments” (pp. 45–66)
Required Media
Walden University. (n.d.). Cortez multimedia: A meeting of an interdisciplinary team. MSW Interactive Homepage [Multimedia file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 8 minutes.
Discussion: Confidentiality
One of the most important concepts in clinical practice and group work is confidentiality. All members of the group sign an informed consent form in order to address the rules and parameters of the group sessions. The rules regarding confidentiality are stated in one section of the form. Although every member must sign this agreement, ensuring that all information shared in the group remains confidential can be difficult. As the group leader, the clinical social worker is responsible for developing strategies so that all members feel safe to share.
For this Discussion, review the “Working With Groups: Latino Patients Living With HIV/AIDS” case study.
By Day 3
Post strategies you might prefer to use to ensure confidentiality in a treatment group for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Describe how informed consent addresses confidentiality in a group setting. How does confidentiality in a group differ from confidentiality in individual counseling? Also, discuss how you would address a breach of confidentiality in the group.
By Day 5
Respond to a colleague who used a different strategy in addressing the issue of confidentiality. Discuss the importance of confidentiality in treatment groups.
Response
Jamie Mahaffey RE: Discussion – Week 4
COLLAPSE
To inspire confidentiality in group members who are living with HIV/AIDS I would encourage group members to reflect on a time when someone discovered that they had HIV/AIDS and reacted negatively to them. It is likely that group members were faced with these types of situations due to the stigma around HIV/AIDS and they probably did not have good experiences. Then I would remind them that everyone in the group has also experienced similar situations and that their HIV/AIDS status is highly confidential so should not be shared outside of the group. I would basically implore them to use the golden rule of treating others the way they want to be treated (Lasky & Riva, 2006). Using this would give clients informed consent about the confidentiality being addressed within the group because they would all have a mutual understanding of having shared experience.
Confidentiality within a group varies greatly from individual counseling in that the group members are trusting each other not to share personal information outside of the group and not just the professional counselor that is required by law to hold confidentiality. Group members are not necessarily required by law to hold confidentiality, however, if confidentiality is broken and causes harm to another group member then that group member may choose to seek legal action against the one that broke the confidentiality (Lasky & Riva, 2006). If confidentiality was breached within the group, then I would remind the group as a whole about its importance. If I know the person who broke it specifically and who it was against then I might have a separate session with just those two together and individually to address their concerns and remind them both of the value of having confidentiality within the group.
References
Lasky, G. B., & Riva, M. T. (2006). Confidentiality and privileged communication in group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56(4), 455–476.
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 4 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 4 Discussion
Assignment: Group Typology
As a clinical social worker it is important to understand group typology in order to choose the appropriate group method for a specific population or problem. Each type of group has its own approach and purpose. Two of the more frequently used types of groups are task groups and intervention groups.
For this Assignment, review the “Cortez Multimedia” case study, and identify a target behavior or issue that needs to be ameliorated, decreased, or increased. In a 2- to 4-page report, complete the following:
- Choose either a treatment group or task group as your intervention for Paula Cortez.
- Identify the model of treatment group (i.e., support, education, teams, or treatment conferences).
- Using the typologies described in the Toseland & Rivas (2017) piece, describe the characteristics of your group. For instance, if you choose a treatment group that is a support group, what would be the purpose, leadership, focus, bond, composition, and communication?
- Include the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of group as an intervention.
