Chapter 10
Counseling Families and Groups
Focus Questions
1. How is confidentiality different when counseling couples, families, or groups, as
opposed to counseling an individual client?
Points instructors may want to make:
2. Why do think marriage and family counselors end up embroiled in their clients’
lawsuits so often?
Points instructors may want to make:
• Family members come to counselors when they are in distress, and the distress often
3. What should counselors tell potential counseling group members to ensure adequate
informed consent?
Points instructors may want to make:
• There is no guarantee that other group members will keep secrets.
In-Class Activity
Title: Difficult Issues in Counseling Families and Groups
Learning
Goal: To become more comfortable with difficult issues related to family and group counseling by practicing
confronting potential issues and observing how other students deal with such issues.
Procedures: Groups of students can be assigned the following role plays to be prepared and
presented during class:
Point/Counterpoint (Debate) Topics
Title: Dealing with Nonparticipating or Reluctant Family Members in Family
Counseling
Learning
Goal: To consider the advantages and disadvantages of various policies regarding
nonparticipating family members.
Procedures: Assign (or allow students to volunteer) 2 groups of students (preferably 3-5
students in each) to each take one of the positions described below and prepare a 5-
minute argument in favor of that position. Have each group present its argument.
Allow the groups to confer for 2 minutes and then have each group present its rebuttal
Title: Counseling Couples involved in Domestic Violence
Learning
Goal: To consider the risks and benefits to both members of a couple when the couple
is involved in domestic violence.
Counterpoint: The best way to resolve issues of domestic violence in a couple’s
relationship is to counsel the partners as a couple.
Outside Class Activity
Title: Family Violence
Learning
Topic for Self-Reflection/Journaling
Topic: Reflect on possible family-of-origin issues, stemming from your upbringing, that could
potentially interfere with your ability to counsel families effectively. What are some steps you
can take, before you begin practicing professionally, to resolve those issues?
Case Study
Case Study Discussion
In responding to this situation, students should consider the process of screening members
as well as topics such as informed consent, psychological risks, the services that can and cannot
be provided in the group, the rights and responsibilities of members, and procedures for leaving
the group.
Short Paper or Oral Class Presentation Topics
2. The Pros and Cons of Using Risky Techniques in Family and Group Counseling