Gatekeepers of the Profession: Using the Code of Ethics to Guide Supervision

Abstract

Abstract Clinical practicum and internship supervisors often share the role of gatekeepers with university faculty to ensure that students meet all necessary and applicable professional competencies before moving on to the next step in their music therapy journey (Dileo, 2001; Hsiao, 2014). However, the interpretation of these competencies can be subjective, and predicting student success can be challenging (Dileo, 2000). Therefore, making the decision of whether to pass a student from a clinical practicum or internship can be complex and filled with ethical implications for all involved. This paper explores that decision through the lenses of both the past and current American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Codes of Ethics using Dileo’s (2000) Ethical Decision-Making Model. An ethical dilemma, based upon the author’s supervisory experiences, is presented here and analyzed using the following guidelines: setting and context; problems and issues; personal responses, beliefs, and values; obligations; Codes of Ethics standards and principles; laws and institutional and professional policies; opportunities for consultation; possible solutions and consequences; and implementation.