D&D Informed Consent

Welcome to D&D!

Group counseling can be a powerful and valuable place for healing and growth. This group is structured to include:

·       A safe environment in which you are able to feel respected and valued

·       An understanding of group goals and norms

·       Investment by facilitators and members to produce a consistent group experience.

A Safe Environment

A safe environment is maintained by facilitators and group members by creating mutual respect and a chance to create trust. In order to accomplish this, confidentiality is important in group counseling. Your group facilitator(s) are bound by law to maintain confidentiality, as group members are bound by honor to keep what is said in the group. We realize that you may want to share what you are learning about yourself in group with significant people in your life. This is acceptable as long as you remember not to talk about how events unfold in group or in any other way compromise the confidentiality of other group members. This includes divulging names and character names of group members to others outside of the group.

Limits to Confidentiality

In most cases, your written and signed authorization is required before information concerning your care can be disclosed to individuals outside of Mindful Counseling (MC), including parents, roommates, friends, faculty, and partners. Below are some of the cases in which the law dictates that your signed authorization may not be required in order for MC to release information:

If a Clinician believes that you are likely to harm yourself and/or another person, they may take action necessary to protect you or others by contacting law enforcement officers or a physician.

If a clinician has cause to believe that a child under 18 years of age, has been or may be abused or neglected, the clinician is required to make a report to the appropriate state agency.

If a clinician has cause to believe that an elderly person (65 years or older) or someone who has a disability or has been or may be abused, neglected, or subject to financial exploitation, the clinician is required to make a report to the appropriate state agency.

If your records are requested by a valid subpoena or court order, we must respond.

Other Safety Factors

·       Group members may not use drugs or alcohol before or during group

·       Group members should not engage in discussion of group issues outside of group

·       Group members should turn in all materials back to the facilitators after the conclusion of each group session.

Attendance

Your attendance and group presence is highly important to group dynamics. As this is a 12ish week group, your absence will create a shift in the group dynamic which could impact the other group members. Therefore, I ask that you make a commitment to attendance and participation in the weekly group and show up for each group meeting. Please note that if you miss two group meetings, you will be removed from the group. If you are faced with an emergency or illness please contact the facilitators prior to group to let us know that you will be absent. Additionally, we ask members to give a two week notice if you decide to leave the group to have time to process the loss of a member. The best way to contact the facilitators is to email [email protected]

What to Expect

Group time will consist of processing and learning coping strategies. Group members will be expected to silence and put away all cell phones and other electronic devices that may interfere with engagement and participation in the group. Furthermore, group members are expected to take an active role in participation in group activities and process experiences with the group.  Content to come…