Ethics and Cultural Competency Flashcards

A music therapist working with a refugee client notices the client becomes distressed during drumming activities. The therapist suspects this may be culturally triggered. What is the BEST immediate response?

Answer: Pause the activity, check in with the client, and explore alternatives collaboratively

Pausing and collaboratively exploring alternatives respects client autonomy and addresses distress without making assumptions about cultural background.

Under the AMTA Code of Ethics, which situation MOST clearly represents a boundary violation?

Answer: Providing music therapy services to a former intimate partner

Providing therapy to a former intimate partner creates a dual relationship that compromises objectivity and violates ethical boundaries.

A music therapist is asked by a family member to share session recordings of an adult client. The client has not provided consent. What should the therapist do?

Answer: Decline and explain that the adult client must provide written consent first

HIPAA and ethical guidelines require the adult client's own written consent before releasing any session recordings to third parties.

When adapting music therapy interventions for a client from a collectivist cultural background, a therapist should prioritize:

Answer: Incorporating family and community values into the therapeutic process

Collectivist cultures emphasize family and community, so incorporating these values increases cultural relevance and therapeutic effectiveness.

A certified music therapist discovers a colleague is practicing outside their scope of competence. According to ethical guidelines, the FIRST step should be:

Answer: Address the concern directly with the colleague

The AMTA Code of Ethics directs professionals to first address concerns directly with the colleague before escalating to formal reporting.

A music therapist working in a correctional facility is pressured by administration to use music as a reward-and-punishment system. The ethical concern here relates to:

Answer: Misuse of music as a tool of coercion rather than therapy

Using music punitively violates ethical principles by weaponizing the therapeutic medium and undermining client dignity.

Cultural humility in music therapy practice DIFFERS from cultural competence primarily because it:

Answer: Emphasizes ongoing self-reflection and openness rather than achieved expertise

Cultural humility is a lifelong process of self-reflection and recognizing power dynamics, whereas competence implies a static endpoint of knowledge.