of Ethics Online Collection: None
ETHICAL STANDARDS OF PRACTICE OF DANCE THERAPISTS REGISTERED, MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY OF DANCE THERAPISTS REGISTERED, AND MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN DANCE THERAPY ASSOCIATION
Preface
The Principles listed in the Ethical Standards of Practice of Dance Therapists Registered, members of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered, and members of the American Dance Therapy Association are principles which embody a professional level in the practice of dance/movement therapy. Concomitant with the Code of Ethical Practice, the Standards are guidelines for personal conduct, and serve as a model for practicing dance/movement therapists.
Principles
Principle 1: Education and training. In the interest of the public and profession as a whole, an individual practices dance/movement therapy only after adequate preparation.
A. Dance: Intensive and extensive dance experience is fundamental and should include a wide range of movement skills to include teaching, performing, and choreography.
B. Dance Therapy Training: Training including academic education and fieldwork with supervision by a member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR) or a person who has the equivalent qualifications, is essential. It is A.D.T.A.. policy that courses at the professional or training level should be taught by a person with a minimum of an ADTR.
1. Education:
a. There are formal educational requirements.
b. For specific information on competencies and course content refer to Standards for Graduate Dance Therapy Programs.
2. Internship/Fieldwork: Dance/movement therapy skills are developed
in a clinical setting* under overall supervision by a member of the Academy
of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR). For specific skills refer to the
document cited above.
PRINCIPLE 2: THERAPEUTIC RESPONSBILITIES. A dance/movement therapist establishes a therapeutic alliance with the client, which includes the following:
A. Establishment with the responsible parties (client where possible, parent, guardian, or appropriate authority), of a mutually acceptable contract, regarding treatment goals, methods of implementation, relation to other therapists, and conditions of termination.
B. Provision of an appropriate setting for clinical work with reasonable standards of safety, security and privacy.
C. Referral of the client to the appropriate professional or agency when circumstances might result in either ineffective or harmful treatment.
D. Maintenance of systematic clinical reports containing discreet but pertinent information which can be available for evaluation by supervisors and other professionals for case presentations and personal review. See Principle 6A.
E. Does not work with clients in a role that is either exploitive or decreases objectivity. Is aware of the potentially powerful role between therapists and persons such as clients, students, and subordinates and avoids exploitation of the trust and dependency of such persons.
a. Does not solicit or accept requests from individuals with whom the therapist is in a dual relationship where one of these roles represents conflicting or competitive interests. Examples of such dual relationships, include but are not limited to, research and treatment with students, supervisory, friends, employees, or relatives.
b. Sexual intimacies with clients are unethical.
F. Collaborate with other professionals when appropriate.
PRINCIPLE 3: COGNIZANCE AND COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
The dance/movement therapist has the responsibility to know and follow
state and national laws regulating therapeutic practice. Such knowledge
and compliance assures the protection of research subjects, client
welfare and confidentiality. Client's privacy and confidentiality is
considered of the highest priority except when there is clear and imminent
danger to an individual or society.
PRINCIPLE 4: SUPERVISION. Supervision refers to the interaction necessary to clarify and improve the treatment process. Professional supervision varies with the development of a dance/movement therapist's professional skills.
A. Specifics of Supervision:
1. Upon completion of training (see Principle 1) and Dance Therapy Registry (DTR), a practicing dance/movement therapist should have ongoing supervision by a member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR) or qualified supervisor** in a clinical setting.
2. A member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR) functions with peer review, self-evaluation, and consultation or supervision.
3. A member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR) engaged
in private practice has additional responsibilities regarding supervision
(see Principle 5).
PRINCIPLE 5: PRIVATE PRACTICE. A member of the Academy of Dance Therapists
Registered (ADTR) in private practice respects the following guidelines:
A. Entrance into Private Practice:
1. The individual is sanctioned by the American Dance Therapy Association to engage in private practice of dance/movement therapy only when identified by that professional organization as a member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR).
2. A member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR) in private practice follows all aspects of the Code of Ethical Practice, specifically those regarding knowledge of state and federal regulations required to meet the qualifications recognized for independent practice.
3. A member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR) in private practice establishes financial arrangements for professional services consistent with the fees charged by other professionals for comparable work.
B. On-Going Training and Supervision:
1. An understanding of psychotherapy through intense study is essential.
2. on-going supervision with a member of the Academy of Dance Therapists
Registered (ADTR) or another qualified supervisor** is recommended.
PRINCIPLE 6: LEGAL AND PERSONAL RIGHTS. A dance/movement therapist protects and respects clients' rights.
A. Maintains the confidentiality of written records.
B. Engages in discussion of clients for professional purposes only, and avoids identity of client except when essential.
C. Obtains permission before using any client information contained within audio or video tapes.
D. Respects right of informed consent and other legal requirements when involving clients, client's records or videotapes for research purposes.
E. Preserves the client's anonymity outside the clinical setting.
F. Refrains from discriminating because of race, color, religion, age, sex,
national origin, marital status, sexual orientation of clients, and
physical or mental disability.
PRINCIPLE 7: AFFILIATIONS. . A dance/movement therapist should not
affiliate professionally with individuals or organizations who oppose
or are in conflict with the stated purposes and ethical standards of
the American Dance Therapy Association.
PRINCIPLE 8: PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND REPRESENTATION. A dance/movement therapist supplying information to the public, either directly or indirectly, about the field of dance/movement therapy or the services, qualification and affiliations of dance/movement therapists, has an obligation to report fairly and accurately. For example:
A. A dance/movement therapist does not use affiliation with the American
Dance Therapy Association for purposes that are misleading to the public.
1. A dance/movement therapist may not use the title Dance Therapist Registered (DTR) or member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR) without having received the appropriate Certificate of Registration from the American Dance Therapy Association.
2. A dance/movement therapist may not use membership in the American Dance Therapy Association to imply exact experience or qualifications, or to suggest misleading levels of status or professional performance.
B. The use of the initials "D.T." or any variations thereof, to mislead the public, is unethical.
C. A dance/movement therapist assists the public in identifying dance/movement therapists competent to give dependable professional service.
- Reports on substandard services rendered by fellow professionals only when professionally, legally, or ethically required.
- Reports legal or ethical violations or professional concerns of fellow professionals to the appropriate person(s) or committee within the organization.
D. Adheres to professional rather than commercial standards in announcingservices.
PRINCIPLE 9: TREATMENT LIMITATIONS. A dance/movement therapist recognizes the boundaries of competency and limits of responsibility.
A. Practices within the limitations of the therapist's training, expertise,
and area of specialization.
B. Consults with other specialists when necessary, and/or refers clients
to them.
PRINCIPLE 10: THE TREATMENT ORIENTATION. A dance/movement therapist understands and follows the procedures and treatment orientation of the facility with which the therapist chooses to associate, and functions accordingly.
A. The dance/movement therapist adheres to the agreed upon employment contract with the employing facility.
B. The dance/movement therapist respects the rights and reputation of
the employing facility and acts accordingly.
* A clinical setting should be a licensed or accredited treatment
facility which provides clinical experience and in-service
education.
** A qualified supervisor is a person with clinical competencies and experience at least equivalent
to a member of the Academy of Dance Therapists Registered (ADTR).
Approved
ADTA Board of Directors
October 1977
Revised, May, 1979
Revised, October, 1981
Revised, October, 1983
Revised, October,. 1985
Revised, November, 1988
Revised, April, 1996
Policies and Procedures Governing Violations of the Code of Ethical Practice
of the American Dance Therapy Association are available upon request.
AMERICAN DANCE THERAPY ASSOCIATION, INC. Suite 108, 2000 Century Plaza Columbia, Maryland 21044
