During orientation for a job-club group at a community rehab program, several members ask whether what they share stays private like individual counseling. What should the CRC emphasize?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Think of group counseling like a shared locker room—everyone hears the stories, so privacy is a team sport. The CRC must spell out that members keep what they hear in the room, and that absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed like in one-to-one sessions. Clear informed consent up front prevents surprises later.
Full Explanation
Informed consent in group settings must address peer disclosure risks that do not exist in individual rehab counseling. The counselor explains limits of confidentiality, member agreements not to share others' information outside the group, and residual risk if a member breaches. Treating group confidentiality as identical to dyadic counseling understates those limits and weakens ethical practice.