In the area of music therapy ethics, consider the power imbalances that may exist in the relationships between us and our clients. Becoming aware of these imbalances is the first step in developing personal insight within our work. It’s actually a very enriching exercise!
As a field, we may not be as diverse as the clients we serve. We don’t have as many people of color, international members, people who were born outside the country who practice in our field. Some evidence shows that international students come to the U.S. to study, but they struggle when they return to their home cultures. In the U.S., we may operate from a more Euro-American standpoint. We have work to do to both meet the needs of our clients and meet the needs of prospective professionals.
Furthermore, we use evidence-based practice with our clients, and it’s important to stay up-to-date on the research. Here’s a little window into the evidence that supports continued human rights advocacy and multiculturalism within our field and our work —
Go deeper and join us!
If you’d like to REALLY dig in to the research around human rights & ethics, then check out Dr. Natasha Thomas’s Ethics & Human Rights course. It fulfills the music therapy ethics requirement! Here’s what’s included:
- You’ll learn a 5-point framework for exploring ethics & human rights so that as you encounter ethical dilemmas you’ll feel confident moving forward.
- You’ll have access to the supportive forum where all your questions get answered.
- You’ll be a witness to deep exploration of how our cultural background impacts the service to our clients, so that your clients may feel even more honored and understood.