Group Counseling and Informed Consent

Running head: Informed Consent and Announcement 1

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Announcement listed on pages 17 and 18 on the course syllabus.

CHD 5043 Group Counseling Techniques

Informed Consent and Announcement

Name

Date

Informed Consent and Announcement 2

Introduction to the Informed Consent Process

Informed Consent is an important process designed to make you aware of specific information

regarding a counseling group experience prior to agreeing to participate. The informed consent

process is designed to provide you with information regarding the nature of group counseling,

the potential impact of counseling, what you can expect in the group, the importance of

confidentiality and its limits, and methods for appealing unsatisfactory services. Informed

Consent is important because it provides you with relevant information and the opportunity to

make informed decisions about your participation in a counseling group.

Rationale and Purpose

The rationale for this group pertains to the increasing numbers of kids diagnosed with ADHD in

society today. ADHD affects three percent to seven percent of school age children, this means it

is present almost in every classroom. These kids represent a good portion of the school

population and deserve the same option to build healthy relationships with their peers. This

social skills group will help these children develop these positive relationships skills which in

return will build these kids self-esteem. The self-esteem building will be very important to this

population because they constantly fear rejection.

Rights and Expectations of Group Members

Some rights and expectations of group members are:

• Group leader will maintain awareness and sensitivity regarding cultural meanings of privacy

and confidentiality. (ACA Code B.1.a)

Informed Consent and Announcement 3

• Group leader will respect the privacy of all clients. (ACA Code B.1.b)

• Group leader will explain the limitations to confidentiality fully. (ACA Code B.1.d)

• Group leader will inform parents and legal guardians of the group and all its entirety and will

work collaboratively with them. (ACA Code B.5.b)

Group Leader Information

The group leader will be Shauntay Sutherland, BA in Human Services and Counseling from

Lindsey Wilson College. This leader has previously assisted in social skills groups for children

with Autism. This group leader facilitates an expressive leadership style in order to maintain

warm, friendly relationships and ensures the wellbeing of the group. The group leader will also

implement democratic decision –making in order to take in consideration the feelings of the

entire group. These styles and techniques will help the children feel accepted and build their

self-esteem while helping them build healthy relationships with peers.

Basic Ground Rules

• Be respectful of others when they are speaking, do not interrupt or talk over them.

• Treat others like you would want to be treated.

• If you do not have anything nice to say do not say anything at all.

• Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed but leader will do the best to ensure what is shared in

group stays within the group.

• No hitting, kicking, or spitting on other group members.

Informed Consent and Announcement 4

Pre-Group Screening and Selection

People who can be a member of this group are school age children in grades K-5 who have been

diagnosed with ADHD and the teacher has made a referral due to lack of self-esteem and/or

social skills.

Practical Considerations/Preparation

The preparations involved in this group is to screen the children who have been referred by the

school to make sure they fit the member description. Group leader will also have to buy supplies

for the various activities the group will be doing each meeting. The group will meet once a week

from 12:00 p.m. till 1:00 p.m. for seven weeks during summer break from school.

Procedures/Techniques/Group Theory

There will be an agenda that the group will follow each week. At the beginning of the meeting,

the leader will provide the children with a snack since the group meets around lunch time. After

the snack, the group will come together and the leader will open up a discussion on anything

exciting the members would like to share from the previous week. This will be limited to 15

minutes, then the leader will begin the scheduled activity for the meeting. At the 10 minute till

1:00 mark, the leader will transition the group to start winding things up and ask if there are any

comments or concerns about the session. At the end, the leader will make sure all the children

have been received by their parents and thank them for coming and participating. Each of the

activities planned were specifically constructed to help the members experience their feelings

and how those feelings relate to their behaviors (actions). Members discuss what they believe to

Informed Consent and Announcement 5

be true about themselves and others, and how they can manage their thoughts, feelings, and

behaviors. The theory the group leader will be using will be Rational Emotive Behavioral

Therapy. This theory will help the group members learn how ADHD affects their social skills

and social performance. This will be beneficial the group because the members will be able to

examine their thoughts, beliefs, and expectations when it comes to social situations. The

members then can make modifications to these thoughts, beliefs, and expectations that will

promote social success. References that support this theory were:

• • http://www.ldonline.or/srticle/26305

• • www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/abstract8/

• • https://www.mentalhelp.net

Understanding and Agreement

I have read, understand, and agree to the information and policies described in this group information form.

_____________________________ Print Name

_____________________________ Signature

_____________________________ Date

Informed Consent and Announcement 6

References

Gladding, S. (2012). Groups a counseling specialty. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Pearson

Education, Inc.

Hoza, B. (2007). Peer functioning in children with ADHD. Journal of Pediatric Psychology,

32(6), 655-663.

Webb, L., & Myrick, R. (2006). A group counseling intervention for children with attention

deficit hyperactivity disorder. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from

http://www.ldonline.org/article/26305

Informed Consent and Announcement 7

Appendix A: Public Announcement

The Road to Success

WHO: Kids in grades K-5 who have been diagnosed with ADHD whose teacher refers them for

lack of social skills.

WHAT: A social skills group that helps build self-esteem on the road to social success.

WHEN: June 1st until July 15th every Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. till 1:00 p.m. during summer

break.

WHERE: The Somerset Family Fitness Center in recreation room 2.

For more information contact: Name at 888-111-7777 Email: [email protected]