Legal and Ethical Considerations for Group and Family Therapy

Considering the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), the idea of discussing confidential information with a patient in front of an audience is probably quite foreign to you. However, in group and family therapy, this is precisely what the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner does. In your role, learning how to provide this type of therapy within the limits of confidentiality is essential. For this Discussion, consider how limited confidentiality and other legal and ethical considerations might impact therapeutic approaches for clients in group and family therapy.

Post an explanation of how legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy differ from those for individual therapy. Then, explain how these differences might impact your therapeutic approaches for clients in group and family therapy. Support your rationale with evidence-based literature.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Breeskin, J. (2011). Procedures and guidelines for group therapy.
The Group Psychologist, 21(1). Retrieved from
http://www.apadivisions.org/division-49/publicatio…

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-confid…

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…