Respond to these two students’ posts and discuss as if you agree with what they say. Other instructions are attached.
Student 1: In my current line of work, I work with clients in a group capacity. When new clients join, I discuss my group’s norms and expectations. Establishing group norms with my clients has been a great way to discuss confidentiality so every client understands secrecy as one of their rights in group settings.
However, I could benefit from more education on confidentiality in working with public entities such as criminal justice and outside agencies. I want to learn more about the statute regarding “Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records (Geppert, 2009, p. 285)”. I have worked with clients experiencing substance use disorders and have never heard of this statute.
As a provider that facilitates group therapy for adults in Intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization I find confidentiality as the biggest client concern. In my group norms, I discuss confidentiality immediately upon new client arrivals. I inform clients that “this group is confidential and in times of abuse or neglect of children, disabled, or elderly and if you are a harm to yourself or others. In addition, Richmond, VA, is a small town. Please understand if you see me in town, I will not acknowledge you to protect your confidentiality. I will say hello and walk by if you come up to me.” After this statement, I ask the clients if they have questions.
Module 10 told me that it is essential to provide informed consent when working with clients professionally (Professor Dwyer Lee, 2022). As a standard, I believe it is necessary to give clients their rights to a safe environment and validation their confidentiality is being met even though the town might be small. I would address confidentiality in small cities before the issue arises.
References
Geppert, C. M. A., & Bogenschutz, M. P. (2009). Ethics in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 32(2), 283–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2009.03.002
Professor Dwyer Lee. (2022). Ethics & Social Work Practices PPT. Canvas. [Video]. https://canvas.fsu.edu/courses/215371/files/18515620?module_item_id=4132280
Student 2: How might you navigate such crossings with your future clients?
How I might navigate boundary crossings with my future clients can be handled in several ways depending on the boundary in my personal life. First, when working in a small rural county or even in a larger one it is always good to speak to a client about how to handle running into each other in public. If I see a client while shopping or enter a client’s family-owned store, I will speak only if addressed by the client, but will not acknowledge how I know them. The problems with boundary crossings should be discussed with the client along with the action taken following advice or counsel from a supervisor or colleague (Lee, 2022).
In groups such as recovery meetings, it is best practice for me not to speak or share. One solution is to have an agreement between social workers and their clients to maintain complete anonymity while at meetings (Lee, 2022). In a small rural area, I can always change the meetings that I attend and travel to the next town over. I also have the option to attend meetings online. If I find that one of my clients attends the same church that I do, one option is to speak to my supervisor about assigning the client to another social worker.
References
Lee, J., D. (2022). Module 10: Ethics & Social Work Practices. [PowerPoint slides]. College of
Social Work, Florida State University.
https://canvas.fsu.edu/courses/215371/files/18515620?module_item_id=4132280
