Counseling Group Counseling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Confidentiality in group counseling is more complex than in individual counseling because:
- Group leaders are exempt from confidentiality laws
- The counselor cannot guarantee that all members will maintain confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Members do not need to sign informed consent
- Group records are subject to mandatory disclosure
Correct answer: The counselor cannot guarantee that all members will maintain confidentiality
Unlike individual therapy, the group counselor cannot guarantee confidentiality because the counselor cannot control member behavior outside the group.
Question 2: A 'monopolizer' in a group is best addressed by the leader by:
- Asking the member to leave the group
- Ignoring the behavior to avoid conflict
- Redirecting to other members and processing the group dynamic (Correct answer)
- Privately confronting the member outside the session
Correct answer: Redirecting to other members and processing the group dynamic
The leader should gently redirect participation to other members and, when appropriate, process the monopolizing behavior as a group dynamic that affects everyone.
Question 3: According to ASGW ethical guidelines, pregroup screening is conducted primarily to:
- Increase group revenue by admitting more members
- Ensure member compatibility and protect potentially vulnerable individuals (Correct answer)
- Satisfy state licensing board requirements
- Assess members' insurance coverage
Correct answer: Ensure member compatibility and protect potentially vulnerable individuals
ASGW guidelines recommend pregroup screening to assess member suitability, explain expectations, and protect individuals who might be harmed by a particular group experience.
Question 4: The 'working stage' of a group is characterized by:
- High anxiety and resistance to disclosure
- Conflict between members and the leader
- Cohesion, productivity, and deep self-disclosure (Correct answer)
- Preparation for termination
Correct answer: Cohesion, productivity, and deep self-disclosure
In the working stage, the group achieves cohesion, members engage in meaningful self-disclosure, and significant therapeutic work occurs.
Question 5: Which therapeutic factor is described as members feeling they are not alone in their struggles?
- Altruism
- Catharsis
- Universality (Correct answer)
- Existential factors
Correct answer: Universality
Universality, one of Yalom's therapeutic factors, is the relief members experience when they discover that others share similar problems, fears, and feelings.
Question 6: Co-leadership in group counseling is considered advantageous primarily because:
- It reduces the leader's legal liability
- It allows processing of group dynamics from two perspectives and prevents countertransference blind spots (Correct answer)
- It is required by most state licensing laws
- It doubles the group's fee income
Correct answer: It allows processing of group dynamics from two perspectives and prevents countertransference blind spots
Co-leadership provides complementary perspectives, reduces leader fatigue, and helps manage complex group dynamics, especially when countertransference is present.
Counseling Group Counseling 2
Confidentiality in group counseling is more complex than in individual counseling because: